RCD denies attacking health workers

The rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) has denied allegations that it was involved in arresting and beating up health workers who are vaccinating children against polio. Speaking over Goma radio on Friday, RCD spokesman Kin Kiey Mulumba blamed the attack on “extremists...[who are trying] to destroy the Lusaka peace process”. “We are not hostage takers,” he said. “We do not hold anyone to ransom.”

“The incidents reported by the foreign media surprise us,” he added. “Our local military chiefs with whom we are, naturally, in constant contact say they are not aware of such an incident.” He said that Ikela, in northwest Equateur province where the incident occurred, was under the control of government soldiers. “We are not in Ikela,” Mulumba stressed. “We do not control the centre of Ikela. It is [President Joseph] Kabila who controls this town. Our frontline positions are towards Opala. The RCD suspects the nasty attack was perpetrated by Kabila’s soldiers and his allies, and they want to put the blame on us.”