The governor of North Kivu, Julien Paluku, fears that the recent armed attacks recorded in the northern part of his province predicts a new war.
According to him, these attacks are not carried out by local armed groups as it is currently admitted.
« I am sending this alert, particularly to the General Staff of the armed forces, that what is happening in Beni now exceeds the level of the simple armed groups, so that the General Staff focuses its strategies on a new war which is looming on the ‘Horizon,’ Mr. Paluku told Radio Okapi on Tuesday.
The governor stresses that the latest attacks are likely to lead to the belief that « these are local armed groups, while it is actually a great war that is about to break out. » In particular, he points out that armed men who recently attacked Kabasha, Kasindi and Beni are more resistant to the army’s response than local armed groups.
Julien Paluku also notes that attacks are being launched against several agglomerations at the same time.
« This denotes a supply of ammunition and heavy weapons. However, Maï-Maï groups are not able to do this in many cities at the same time, » he explains.
Several recent armed attacks have been reported in the north of North Kivu province, resulting in numerous casualties. Ten days ago, a man claiming to speak on behalf of a rebel movement, unknown until then, claimed on Monday responsibility for murderous clashes between a militia and the Congolese army in this part of the province. The man said to be named John Mangaiko and his group would be called National Movement for the Revolution (MNR).