An armed group has killed at least twenty-three people in attacks on several villages in Ituri province in eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo within the last two days, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA, citing local authorities.
The Congo Development Cooperation - one of many armed groups operating in the country's conflict-torn eastern territory - killed people in Djugu district on Thursday and Friday, local leaders told Reuters.
"Most of the victims were killed with machetes, but those who tried to escape were shot," said Vital Tungulo, the governor of Nyali-Kilo municipality.
The reason for the attacks is not clear, but the violence in the DR Congo is linked to the struggle to distribute influence over the country's mineral deposits, according to Reuters.