UN: At least 890 killed in December clashes in Congo

GENEVA — The U.N. human rights office says “credible sources” indicate that at least 890 people were killed last month during three days of clashes among villages in western Congo.

Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. human rights chief, said the perpetrators should be brought to justice over such “shocking violence” that erupted between the Banunu and Batende communities in the Mai-Ndombe province.

Her office said it has launched an investigation, along with national authorities in Congo.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York that according to the sources, at least 82 other people were injured during the clashes in four villages.

The rights office says Wednesday that hundreds of houses and buildings were also burned down or pillaged in the violence, and an estimated 16,000 people sought refuge in neighbouring Republic of Congo across the Congo River.

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The violence from Dec. 16-18 came just days before Congo’s presidential election.

The Associated Press