RCD military officials discuss anti-Tutsi violence

The military authorities of the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) on Wednesday held discussions with elders, departmental and district heads, and intellectuals on the increasing violence in Uvira and the “prevailing fear provoked by the pamphlets being distributed by misguided politicians”, rebel-controlled Goma radio said. The pamphlets had warned of a possible attack on Uvira on 2 August. The radio quoted participants in the meeting as saying there was a lot of concern about the situation, particularly the fact that ethnic Tutsi Banyamulenge families were leaving the area after coming under attack by Mayi-Mayi militia forces. The commander of the RCD’s ninth brigade, Simba Hussein, said a “strong campaign of bad taste was being spread to create insecurity in Uvira”, which was succeeding “because of the lack of trust between the sons and daughters of Uvira”. The RCD officials attending the meeting gave assurances that security measures had been taken along the roads towards Ruzizi plains.