MISNA
Congo DR
01.22.01
Between 150 and 250 people reportedly died in clashes on Friday in Bunia, administrative centre of Ituri, north-eastern DR Congo. A much higher toll than the "various dozens" reported at first. The number of victims in fact increased due to acts of retaliation by the Hema, late afternoon on Friday, after the Ugandan troops that control the area had apparently restored order, according to humanitarian sources cited by the France Press agency. That morning, heavily armed men of the Lendu group attacked the city, airport and local radio. The intervention of a military helicopter then brought the fighting to an end. A member of the Congolese civil society explained to the MISNA that this war between Hema herders and Lendu and Ngiti farmers is expanding due to the "serious abuse" suffered by the Lendu-Ngiti at the hands of the Hema. (BO)