At least 70 people, including nine soldiers and a soldier’s wife, were killed in an attack on the village of Kinsele, western Democratic Republic of Congo, local authorities reported.
The attack, attributed to the Mobondo militia, occurred on Saturday, approximately 100 kilometers east of Kinshasa. The militia, claiming to defend the Yaka people, has intensified violence in the region despite a ceasefire agreed in April 2024.
The conflict in Kwamouth territory, where Kinsele is located, has raged for over two years between the Teke and Yaka communities, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths.
The violence is part of a broader pattern of unrest in Congo, with armed groups also battling for control in the eastern part of the country. Security services are currently recovering bodies, with 72 already found, following the army’s recent efforts to repel the militia.
The conflict, sparked by disputes over land rights and customary taxes, continues unabated despite peace efforts. As Congo’s government grapples with armed groups in both the east and west, the nation faces ongoing instability and humanitarian crises.