Metro

Civilian death toll rise as attacks in east DRC escalate

Published

2 years ago

July 23, 2022

Civilian death toll in attacks by rebel groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in the past few weeks have continued to rise, according to the United Nations Refugees Agency (UNHCR) in a report on Friday.

The report which was released by UNHCR spokesman, Matthew Saltmarsh, noted that “more and more civilians have lost their lives during firearm or machete attacks on their communities.”

The agency expressed concern over increasing civilian deaths as attacks by armed groups against local communities and sites for internally displaced people keep escalating especially in the volatile Ituri province.

The agency added that the suffering caused by the attacks on civilians and internally displaced people must no longer be ignored.

“This month in Ituri Province alone, simultaneous attacks by armed groups have left 11 dead and 250 homes looted and burned. The devastation comes on top of more than 800 deaths recorded by U.N. agencies in Ituri between February and June,” the UNHCR said.

“At least 715 of these victims had been sheltering in internal displacement sites or were killed as they returned home having previously fled violence.

“In June alone, 97 returning or displaced people were killed in attacks that included abductions, looting, and burning of homes,” the report added.

Saltmarsh further explained that more than 20,700 people have been driven from their homes by such raids, fueling food insecurity following decades of local clashes which have halted development in this fertile region.

“In recent weeks, fighting between the Congolese Army and the M23 rebel group in North Kivu Province has displaced more than 160,000 people. The instability has been rife in the region for many years, but it has gotten worse because of many factors.

“There is the tussle over the mineral resources. There is a lack of judicial structures. There is a lack of infrastructure and, most recently of course, we have noticed an increase in the activities of these armed groups, particularly M23. Not just them, there are an estimated 120 armed groups active in that region,” he said.

Related Topics:Death Toll Democratic Republic of Congo Featured M23 rebels

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

15 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.