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'Bodies still floating in river'
20/03/2008 12:00 - (SA)
Kinshasa - The United Nations mission in this war-battered nation, DRC, called on officials on Wednesday to use restraint in dealing with a religious sect.
A preliminary UN report said at least 68 people had been killed since the end of February in clashes between security forces and members of the Bundu Dia Kongo movement.
The violence began after the leader of the sect accused police of bombing its temples. The movement required its followers to recommit to traditional African customs.
The UN mission "has asked the government to pay close attention to the need to avoid the excessive use of force," UN spokesperson Michel Bonnardeaux said at a press conference.
Officials with the UN mission travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo's southwest, where the clashes took place in late February and early March. They found bodies still floating in the river, according to an early draft of the report.
The draft also stated that at least 215 people were missing. Most were believed to have fled after homes were torched in the town of Sekebanza.
The final report had not yet been made public. "Once the government has had a few days to read it, the report will be published," said Bonnardeaux.
- AP
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