New rebel group in Bunia

A new rebel movement - as yet unnamed - has been formed in Bunia, eastern Congo, causing uncertainty in the already volatile region, a security source told IRIN on Friday. The source said that the new movement comprised some 300 ethnic Wahema militiamen in Ituri and some Banyamulenge fighters who had joined the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie - mouvement de liberation (RCD-ML) under Ernest Wamba dia Wamba. The sources said they have already clashed with the Ugandan army and RCD-ML troops.”

Last year ethnic fighting between the Lendu and Hema tribes in the area led to the deaths of more than 7,000 people, prompting the Ugandan army to intervene. The former RCD-ML finance minister, Atenyi Tibasima, and the former RCD-ML premier, Mbusa Nyamwisa, were said to be opposed to the leadership of Wamba dia Wamba. A regional analyst told IRIN: “The problem is that rival camps within the RCD-ML have backing from different camps in the Ugandan security system, which makes it difficult to sort out their problems. The Ugandan leadership has to talk with one voice.” Ugandan army spokesman Major Pheneas Katirima told IRIN that the existence of the new movement had been confirmed, but that its leadership and motives were yet to be established.