Civilian attacks continue – HRW

Attacks on civilians by armed groups have continued in two conflict-ridden provinces of eastern DRC since the government imposed martial law in May, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has noted. It said armed groups have killed at least 672 civilians, while Congolese security forces have killed 67 civilians, in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. Data collected by the Kivu Security Tracker, a joint project of HRW and the Congo Research Group, found that a massacre in August highlights ongoing insecurity in the region and the inadequate military response. ‘The Congolese Government may recognise the need for greater security in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, but imposing martial law hasn't accomplished that,’ said Thomas Fessy, senior Congo researcher at HRW. ‘Despite the government's efforts to spin its actions as military successes, many people across eastern Congo still live in constant fear of the next massacre.’