Tribal clashes reported in Uvira

Clashes between the Banyamulenge, Bafulero and Bambe peoples were continuing in the Mulenge mountains of Uviru, South Kivu, the BBC Kirundi/Kinyarwanda service has reported, citing Banyamulenge sources in eastern DRC. An attack in Katogota was followed by revenge attacks in Bijombo and Katanga, where over 30 people were killed and 350 houses burned out in Gihuha, Amazi, Gahuna, Magunda and Rubibi, according to Banyamulenge representative Janskoye Muhamiriza, interviewed by the BBC on Friday. He claimed that the RCD had done nothing to defend the Banyamulenge people, despite its youth fighting on the front in Katanga and Equateur province, and called on the rebel leadership to protect them before they were massacred. “Before, the war pitted the RCD against Kabila. Now there is a tribal war, a coalition of other tribes fighting Banyamulenge,” Muhamiriza said.