Rebel fighters kill at least 69 people in northeastern DR Congo
At least 69 civilians were killed when armed rebels attacked villages in the eastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Authorities warned the toll could rise and that several villages have been completely emptied of residents.
Armed rebels attacked a string of villages in DR Congo's eastern Ituri province overnight, killing at least 69 civilians, according to local authorities. Officials confirmed that the raids began near midnight and continued well into the morning hours.
Groups linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have intensified attacks in recent weeks as the gradual drawdown of UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO leaves a widening security vacuum. The government said it would send additional troops to the area, and President Tshisekedi called an emergency cabinet meeting.
Aid agencies report that the number of people internally displaced across Ituri and North Kivu provinces has now exceeded 800,000 over the past six months alone. Continued violence in DR Congo's eastern provinces is also putting fresh pressure on regional stability and on the global copper-cobalt supply chain.
More from Africa
South Africa condemns 'fake' xenophobia videos as Ghana calls for AU mission
South Africa's government has dismissed widely-shared online videos of alleged xenophobic attacks as fake. Ghana, meanwhile, has asked the African Union to dispatch a fact-finding mission to assess the situation on the ground.
BBC: Russian paramilitary launched air strikes in Mali as rebels advanced
Footage analysed by the BBC shows the Russian paramilitary Africa Corps carried out air strikes in northern Mali as rebel forces advanced. The attacks unfolded as the group withdrew from a key base in the area.
Mali junta leader names himself defence minister after predecessor killed
Mali's military junta leader has assumed the role of defence minister after his predecessor, Sadio Camara, was killed in a major offensive by combined jihadist and separatist forces.