A preliminary UN investigation into a massacre reportedly carried out in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last month, reveals that “at least 535 civilians were killed in four attacks”, the UN Mission in the country, MONUSCO, said on Wednesday. She deplored the “shocking violence” and highlighted the importance of “investigating and bringing the perpetrators to justice”. The initial investigation conducted by the Joint UN Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), attached to the mission, has concluded that in addition to the dead, 111 other villagers were wounded. The wave of violence was allegedly triggered by a dispute over the burial of the customary chief of the Banunu community. “The team identified a total of 59 burial sites in two of the attacked towns, but do not rule out more sites,” said a statement from MONUSCO on Wednesday.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 31, 2019 13:30 UTC