Ethnic clashes in Congo kill 120, claims tribal leader

TWO days of clashes between rival ethnic groups in a troubled Congo region killed 120 people, a tribal leader said yesterday.

At least 60 members of the Lendu tribe were killed last Thursday by the rival Hema in the Ituri region near the Uganda border, said Thomas Lubanga, head of the Hema-led rebel Union of Congolese Patriots. He said the attack was ordered by Hema militia leader Chief Yves Kahwa Mandro.

The Lendu then killed about 60 Hema who were fleeing to Uganda to escape ongoing violence, Mr Lubanga said.