More than 50 people were killed in clashes between the Congolese army and a militia group called Mobondo in the village of Kinsele, western Democratic Republic of Congo, on Saturday.
The fighting reportedly erupted over disputed land rights in the Kwamouth territory, located northeast of the capital Kinshasa.
Local official Stanys Liby confirmed the death toll, which included nine Congolese soldiers and 41 militiamen.
The cause of the clashes remains unclear. Some reports suggest the Mobondo militia attacked an army position, while others claim the fighting began after a government offensive against the militia’s recent incursions.
This deadly incident adds fuel to an ongoing conflict between the Yaka and Teke communities in the region.
The Mobondo, primarily Yaka farmers, settled along the Congo River, which the Teke people consider their ancestral territory.
This land dispute has led to violence since June 2022, resulting in hundreds of deaths and displacements, according to Human Rights Watch.
Congolese security forces have previously attempted to quell the violence, but these efforts have proven unsuccessful.
The latest clashes raise concerns about the deteriorating security situation in western DR Congo and the potential for further escalation.
