Rwandan rebels kill 40 civilians in DR Congo

The rebels of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) have killed at least 40 civilians this week in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), a local official told Xinhua on telephone Thursday. The FDLR, which is linked to the 1994 Rwanda massacre and has since been holed up in the east of DR Congo, launched its latest raid on civilians between Monday and Tuesday in three villages of Shabunda in South Kivu province, the official said. "The attack by the FDLR is a reprisal against the civilian population whom they accuse of collaborating with the local self- defense militia called Raia Mutomboki," he added. Shabunda is rich in mineral deposits such as gold and cassiterite, which attract the FDLR. The Hutu rebels have made money through illegal mining while taking terrorist action to extract wealth from local people. Despite military crackdown by UN and government forces, the FDLR has managed recaptured some places following their departure. Insecurity remains characterized by hostage taking, killing and rape. The youths of Shabunda have formed a self-defense militia called Raia Mutomboki to defending their territory and guarantee local security. Since August 2011, fierce fighting has been occasional reported in the area between the Raia Mutomboki youths and the FDLR.