Security forces step up night patrols in eastern town

Congolese security forces and UN troops have stepped up their patrols in Goma, a town in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern province of North Kivu, following a recent spate of night-time killings by unidentified armed men in uniform.

Goma Mayor Xavier Nzabara told IRIN on Tuesday that city residents would be involved in the joint patrols by UN and government troops, as well as by the police, which began two months ago. He said residents would also be issued whistles with which to raise the alarm when aware of an attack.

At least two prominent Goma residents have been killed since a visible increase in these killings began on 1 November. One victim, Godefroid Matanda, was the provincial secretary of the Union pour la developpement et le progress social, led by veteran politician Etienne Tshisekedi. Uniformed armed men shot Matanda dead in the forehead at his Kayembe home, a Goma neighbourhood. Another victim, a lawyer named Achilles Misingi, was shot dead in the driveway of his home.

"Since the beginning of November, 15 people have been killed at night in Goma by armed men," Gen Ndaty Kapend, the provincial police inspector, told IRIN.

Outside Goma, residents have reported several attacks. On Monday, unidentified armed men ambushed a goods truck in Burahi, some 75 km northeast of Goma.

Some humanitarian organisations have suspended their activities outside Goma. The locale of Bishange, some 50 km south of Goma, was the scene of fighting last week between local Mayi-Mayi militia and government troops.

The killings and general climate of insecurity that has gripped the area sparked protests in Goma on Monday. Some 1,000 demonstrators burned the Kayembe administrative offices and demanded the resignation of Gen Obed Rwibasira, commander of the 8th Military Region, based in Goma. The demonstrators are blaming him for failing to protect the population sufficiently.