A Congolese military commander who helped the government defeat M23 rebels has been killed in a rocket attack.
Colonel Mamadou Ndala died from injuries sustained when his convoy was ambushed in North Kivu province on Thursday. At least two other security officers were also killed.
A reporter for VOA who was traveling in the convoy says the rocket struck Ndala's vehicle near the town of Beni.
Austere Malivika reports that after the rocket hit, attackers tried to move closer to the convoy but were repelled by soldiers.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility. However, the government says the Ugandan rebel group ADF-NALU may be responsible.
Congolese officials have blamed the Islamist group for a series of attacks in North Kivu, including one in mid-December that left at least 40 people dead.
United Nations and Congolese forces have been battling a number of rebel groups in the mineral-rich eastern DRC.
Last month, M23 signed a peace agreement with the government after Congolese forces seized the group's last stronghold in North Kivu.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters and AFP.
Colonel Mamadou Ndala died from injuries sustained when his convoy was ambushed in North Kivu province on Thursday. At least two other security officers were also killed.
A reporter for VOA who was traveling in the convoy says the rocket struck Ndala's vehicle near the town of Beni.
Austere Malivika reports that after the rocket hit, attackers tried to move closer to the convoy but were repelled by soldiers.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility. However, the government says the Ugandan rebel group ADF-NALU may be responsible.
Congolese officials have blamed the Islamist group for a series of attacks in North Kivu, including one in mid-December that left at least 40 people dead.
United Nations and Congolese forces have been battling a number of rebel groups in the mineral-rich eastern DRC.
Last month, M23 signed a peace agreement with the government after Congolese forces seized the group's last stronghold in North Kivu.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters and AFP.
