DRC: Police forces and BDK clash in Kongo Central province April 21-22

Event

Overnight on Tuesday, April 21, and Wednesday, April 22, at least 14 people were killed in clashes between local police and armed members of Bundu Dia Kongo (BDK) cult in Songololo (Kongo-Central province).

According to local and regional media sources, the security forces conducted an operation after receiving intelligence that a group of BDK members residing in district 5 of Songololo were planning an attack in the area on Wednesday. The fighting between the two took place near to the RN1 highway. Police reportedly arrested three BDK members and ceased weapons and ammunition during the incident. Reports also suggest that local residents in the area burned down a BDK church amidst the clashes. Several BDK supporters fled the scene to nearby forest area. Further clashes and attacks are possible in the near term.

Context

The BDK is a banned religious-cultural-political movement, created in 1969 by Mwanda Nsémi, which fights for the protection and interests of the Kongo people. The group bases their claims on the centuries-old Kongo Kingdom that was abolished by the Portuguese in 1914.

Advice

Individuals in the area are advised to monitor the situation and to anticipate the threat of further violence.