DRC: Over 180 people killed in inter-communal clash

At least 180 people have lost their lives in inter-communal clash in the West of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Anadolu news agency reports citing authorities.

The violence according to the Congolese government occurred over two months, at Kwamouth, at heart of Mai – Ndombe province, hundreds kilometers from capital Kinshasa.

“The situation has returned to normal,” said Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya at a press conference in Kinshasa.

“There were many displaced people, nearly a hundred thousand Congolese. Unfortunately, more than 180 people died as a result of months of conflict between Teke and Yaka,” the government official added.
The violence was sparked in July due to conflict customary royalties to be paid to local authorities from the Teke community by non-natives of the area.

President Félix Tshisekedi blamed a sabotage for the feud which has taken place one year before presidential elections.

In December 2018, the province was the theater of another inter-communal row between Tende and Nunu. The clash caused the death of at least 500 people according to UN reports.