Tens killed during protests by ex-militia fighters in DR Congo

Tens of people died on Wednesday during a protest by former militia fighters at Kamina military base in Lubumbashi, southwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), eyewitnesses have said.

A group of demobilized ex-militia revolted on Wednesday morning to protest the delay by DR Congo military authorities to re-integrate them.

"They were protesting against their continued stay at the military base after undergoing professional training to facilitate re-integration in society," local sources told Radio Okapi, a UN-run radio station.

"At first, we were very peaceful. We did not want to hurt anyone. But the soldiers attacked us and started shooting live bullets. There are about 27 people who were killed," one of the former fighters told Radio Okapi.

Local civil society actors said at least ten ex-militia were killed and several others were injured. No official source confirmed the incident on Wednesday.

Thousands of ex-combatants from various parts of the country have been living at Kamina military camp.

About four days ago, some 4,000 ex-militia fighters wrote a memorandum to authorities asking to hold a peaceful march to say "goodbye" to the people of Kamina, arguing that they had completed their professional training. Enditem