Inter-ethnic Clash Leaves Tribal Chief, Wife Dead In Democratic Republic Of Congo
Ethnic tensions continue to rise, following the separation of the Masiakwa chief’s and his wife’s heads from their bodies, along with wanton destruction met on the community by the militias.
The chief of Masiakwa village and his wife were, on Friday, August 19, 2022, killed and dismembered by armed Yaka militias, as the communal conflict between the Teke and Yaka communities in Kwamouth, Mai-Ndombe province of the Democratic Republic of Congo continues.
“They entered Masiakwa early this morning, slashed the chief’s and his wife’s throats, then burned houses. They were carrying arms which dissuaded the population from counter-attacking. The casualty figure could be heavy by the end of the day,” Guy Musomo, a legislator representing the Kwamouth constituency revealed.
“Right now, the village is on fire, and the inhabitants continue to flee to Lediba in Kwamouth territory, to Kinsele along national highway number 17, while others are heading to Kinshasa and taking refuge in Congo Brazzaville,” the parliamentarian added.
The legislator said the militias killed first military responders and have since been awaiting further reinforcements.
The governor of Mai-Ndombe hopes to take immediate action to ease the tension. “We are going to Kwamouth tomorrow [today, August 20, 2022]. We cannot remain here while our compatriots, our families, our mothers, our aunts, our sisters, our cousins, our nieces are being killed,” declared Governor Rita Bola.
Since the beginning of the clashes, at least 15 people have died, and some people have been displaced with injuries.
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