DR Congo appeals to civilians not to form militias to fight Ugandan guerrillas

The Defence Minister of DR Congo Alexandre Luba Ntambo has appealed to panic-stricken civilians in the volatile east of the country not to form militias to protect themselves after a string of massacres by Ugandan guerrillas.

Mr Ntambo warned that self-defence groups could further complicate the already volatile situation around the town of Beni, where as many as 120 people have been killed in five weeks of night-time rebel raids.

His call came as the Congolese army, backed by UN peacekeeping troops, fought rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces and the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda for a second day on the edge of the town.

Local officials believe the rebels were "organising themselves" for another attack on Beni when the soldiers came upon them.

Source: News 24