Heavy Interahamwe presence in Rutshuru

A Reuters journalist in the North Kivu town of Rutshuru reported yesterday that the town’s residents were living in constant fear of attacks, ambushes, looting and killing sprees by Interahamwe militia, who are hiding in nearby hills and in the forests inside the Virunga National Park. “The Interahamwe are all around us “ a traffic policeman was quoted as saying. Local authorities said up to 30 people had been killed on three different roads leading out of Rutshuru over the last two weeks alone, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, the missionary news service, MISNA, said yesterday that 45 people had been murdered in the Kivus during the first two months of the year. Citing anonymous sources, MISNA said there were also a number of civilians captured, mainly during nights, by armed factions of the RCD.