
A militia group in western Democratic Republic of Congo killed nine soldiers in an army camp in Kwamouth territory, Mai-Ndombe province, on Saturday.
The attack, staged by the predominantly Yaka militia known as Mobondo, occurred in the village of Kinsele, about 130 kilometers northeast of the capital, Kinshasa.
Congo army spokesman Sylvain Ekenge reported that 35 assailants were killed, along with one soldier’s wife. The assault, part of ongoing communal violence between the Teke and Yaka communities over land along the Congo River, took place around 5 a.m.
Stanys Libye, chief of the nearby village of Kimomo, confirmed the deaths of a major, a lieutenant, two captains, and five soldiers. He stated, “They surprised the soldiers at their post. The military retaliated and some of the assailants were overpowered.”
Intercommunal violence in Kwamouth has resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and significant infrastructure damage since 2022. Despite an April 2024 ceasefire agreement between Teke and Yaka traditional chiefs and the Mobondo, clashes have persisted. Some traditional chiefs have contested the deal, citing a lack of inclusivity.
Meanwhile, eastern Congo continues to grapple with armed militias, including the M23 rebel group, which has been leading a major insurgency since 2022.