WORLD NEWS | Congo: 49 bodies found in mass grave after militia attack

KINSHASA (Congo), Jan. 19 (AP) — Mass graves containing the bodies of 49 civilians were discovered in northeastern Congo after a series of attacks over the weekend were blamed on local militias, the United Nations said.

The graves were found in two villages in Ituri province, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) east of the town of Bunia, U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters in New York on Wednesday.

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A total of 42 victims, including six children, were found in the mass grave in Nyamamba village, while the bodies of seven other men were found in another village, Mbogi, Haque added.

“Peacekeepers patrolled the area immediately after receiving reports of CODECO militia attacks on civilians over the weekend. This is when they made a horrific discovery,” Harker said in New York.

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CODECO – the Congolese Development Cooperation – militants also abducted women during raids on villages, local authorities said.

Last June, seven factions of CODECO declared an end to violence against civilians in Ituri, mainly in the Djugu area where they are very active. However, they have gradually resumed attacks on the area.

At least 195 people have been killed in a series of attacks by CODECO militias and other armed groups since December, the United Nations said. More than 1.5 million people have been displaced by fighting in Ituri province. (Associated Press)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)