Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sudan blamed for Congo air raid

James Roberts
Friday 06 August 1999 00:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE REBEL Congo Liberation Movement (MLC), which is fighting the government of President Laurent Kabila, has accused the Sudan government of killing 524 people - including 134 soldiers - when it bombed two villages in northern Congo on Wednesday.

Analysts said that the government in Khartoum may have bombed targets in Congo in an attempt to derail the Congo peace process and keep its arch enemy Uganda locked into the war. Uganda supports the MLC and Sudan's anti-Khartoum rebels, while Sudan is supporting the Lord's Resistance Army rebels fighting Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

A ceasefire deal between six African governments was signed in Lusaka last month, but the two rebel groups fighting Mr Kabila refused to sign at the time. The MLC signed up to the deal last weekend.

Khartoum may be seeking to open a new front in its own civil war as well as pin down Ugandan forces in the Congo who are giving the MLC leader, Jean-Pierre Bemba, logistical and military aid in his campaign. By doing so, Sudan would prevent Uganda from helping the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), which has fought a 16-year war against Khartoum for religious freedom and self-determination for south Sudan.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in