UN staff killed in DR Congo attack

Two UN workers have been killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reports say.

According to the BBC, several civilians, as well as a Ghanaian peacekeeper and one other UN employee were killed when armed rebels attacked the town of Mbakanda and took over the airport.

Reuters reports that around 30 fighters crossed the Congo river by boat in the capital of the Equateur province, before attacking the governor's residence in the surprise assault.

The north-west of the DRC has, like much of the country, been prone to violence in recent years – at least a hundred people were killed in clashes between ethnic groups last years. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the latest attacks.

The BBC reports that Congolese government and UN troops are fighting to take back the airport from the rebels, but have suspended the operation overnight.

The UN's mandate in the DRC expires this year.




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