DATE=9/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGO / CLASHES (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266398
BYLINE=TODD PITMAN
DATELINE=KIGALI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Several dozen people have been killed in
renewed fighting in the rebel-held east of the
Democratic Republic of Congo. As Todd Pitman reports
from the Rwandan capital, Kigali, rebel officials are
blaming militiamen -- known locally as the Mai Mai --
for increased insecurity in the area.
TEXT: Moise Nyarugabo, vice president of the Rwandan-
backed rebel group, the R-C-D, says Mai Mai fighters
ambushed a truck on Tuesday carrying civilians to a
local market near the Congolese border with Burundi.
Mr. Nyarugabo says 14 civilians were killed and six
others wounded in the attack, which took place at
Nyakabere, about 70 kilometers north of the Lake
Tanganyika town of Uvira.
Mr. Nyarugabo says rebel troops based nearby
intervened, engaging Mai Mai fighters in a gun battle
that lasted into the afternoon.
In a separate incident on Monday, another group of Mai
Mai fighters attacked the small market town of
Butembo, on Congo's northeastern border with Uganda.
Ernest Wamba dia Wamba, who heads a Ugandan-backed
rebel faction, the R-C-D-M-L, says around at least 30
Mai Mai soldiers were killed in the day of fighting,
which spread from Butembo's airport into the town.
Rebel officials say the Mai Mai who attacked Butembo
were armed with bayonets, spears and machine guns.
They say the attackers are loyal to Mbusa Nyamwisi, a
senior rebel official who was recently thrown out of
Mr. dia Wamba's faction. Mr. Nyamwisi is reportedly
being detained by authorities in the Ugandan capital
Kampala.
Several rebel factions, backed by Rwanda and Uganda,
are fighting in a broader war against the government
of Congo-Kinshasa President Laurent Kabila that began
two years ago.
The Mai Mai are bush fighters who have at different
times shown loyalty to rival rebel factions as well as
the government. Rebel officials say they are now
supported by President Kabila.
Rebel officials say President Kabila is air-dropping
military supplies to the Mai Mai, who they say have
stepped up attacks in recent months in the east of the
country. (SIGNED)
NEB/TP/GE/JP
12-Sep-2000 11:38 AM LOC (12-Sep-2000 1538 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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