Militants in eastern Congo kill 12 villagers as country's leader rules out talks with Rwanda
ABC News
A local official and a civil society group say militants killed at least 12 villagers in a spate of attacks in eastern Congo’s North Kivu province
KINSHASA, Congo -- Militants killed at least 12 villagers in a spate of attacks in eastern Congo, a local official and a civil society leader said as the country's president ruled out dialogue with neighboring Rwanda over a related conflict.
The killings in Congo's North Kivu province took place on Tuesday and were carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces, armed militants believed to be linked to the extremist Islamic State group.
The militants attacked three villages in the Beni territory, according to Kinos Katuho, the president of the local Mamove civil society organization.
Eastern Congo has struggled with armed violence for decades as more than 120 groups fight for power, land and valuable mineral resources, while others try to defend their communities. The armed groups have long waged campaigns of violence in the mineral-rich region and have been accused of mass killings.
The conflict spiked in late 2021 when another rebel group, which goes by the name M23 and which had been largely dormant, resurfaced and initiated attacks to seize territory. The group allegedly has support from neighboring Rwanda, though the country denies ties.
