According to Human Rights Watch, armed men killed at least 20 people this week in the western Democratic Republic of the Congo during an ethnic violence that has cost hundreds of lives.
The Mobondo militia members assaulted a truck transporting traders from the Teke ethnic minority on Monday, according to the rights watchdog.
They set fire to the bus close to a community in Mai-Ndombe’s Kwamouth district, which is northeast of Kinshasa.
“The conflict over land and customary claims erupted in June 2022 between so-called ‘native’ and ‘non-native’ communities; hundreds have been killed,” the New York-based body said.
“The simmering dispute escalated into widespread violence after many farmers, mainly Yaka, rejected an increase of customary royalties by ‘native’ Teke chiefs,” HRW said.
“Groups calling themselves ‘Mobondo’ after mystical amulets, mainly recruited among the ‘non-native’ Yaka, Suku, Mbala, Ndinga and Songo communities, have targeted Teke villagers with machetes, spears, hunting rifles and military assault rifles.”
It added that thousands of people have fled their homes, triggering a humanitarian crisis.
“Multiple attacks have happened this year and the latest deadly incident is a reminder of the urgency of the crisis,” HRW said.
