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Ten die in fresh anti-UN demonstrations in DR Congo

27 July 2022 04:29 (UTC +04:00)

Ten people have died during protests against a UN peacekeeping force in Butembo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, police and UN officials say, APA reports citing BBC.

Seven victims in the eastern city were civilians, and three were UN personnel.

Local media said the protesters were shot by peacekeepers - a claim denied by the UN mission, Monusco.

Monusco's acting head Khassim Diagne told the BBC there were "very organised groups... overwhelming our bases, and shooting down our helicopters".

But he stressed that "the UN hasn't fired at any protesters".

Mr Diagne said Tuesday's attackers were "criminals" masquerading as protesters, who claimed they wanted to submit a memorandum - but then opened fire as they approached the UN base.

There has been a recent upsurge in violence in the area, as locals accuse the UN of being ineffective.

The east of DR Congo remains volatile with more than 100 active rebel groups.

This was the second day of protests with people calling for the UN to withdraw its peacekeepers from the area.

On Monday, the demonstrations, called by the government's youth wing, turned violent when protesters stormed and looted the UN mission's local headquarters and a base in the city of Goma.

At least five people were killed, officials said. Then on Tuesday the protests intensified.

"They are teargassing us because we came to say that Monusco does not help us. They've been in Congo for 22 years and nothing works," protester Anselme Musimbwa said.

Another demonstrator, Jack Sinzahera said: "We have our own police that will look after our security and property, we don't want anything to do with Monusco."

One of the graphic images shared on social media showed someone lying still on the ground, while others shouted that he had been shot dead by the UN forces.

On Monday, Mr Diagne said it was "not in chaos and confusion or division that we will make progress towards stabilisation and peace.

"[Monusco] stands alongside the people and supports the national defence and security forces in their fight against the armed groups."