Congo: 17 killed in Brazzaville clashes; govt blames militia leader

The Congolese government on Tuesday night announced that 17 people had died in Monday morning’s gunfire in the capital Brazzaville accusing former militia leader, Frederic Bintsamou, of being personally involved in the disorders.

According to Thierry Moungalla, spokesman for the Congolese government, 17 people (3 agents of police, 2 civilians and 12 attackers) were killed in the “terrorist attack” that targeted the southern districts of the capital before “rapid response” of the police.

Mr. Moungalla earlier on Monday accused former militia Nsiloulou Ninjas to be behind the gunfire and explosions that woke the residents of the capital early Monday morning.

He reinforced the accusations claiming that the government had “overwhelming evidence” of “the active involvement of Frederic Bintsamou”.

Political ally of the former rebel, Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas, a presidential candidate in the March 20 election told AFP he was not satisfied with government explanation and called for an independent investigation.

The Ninja militia was formed by the politician, Bernard Kolélas in the early 1990s and were commanded by Frédéric Bintsangou, alias Pastor Ntoumi when Kolelas was in exile. They participated in many wars in the 1990s and 2000s.

AFP