Diamond Thieves Battle in DRC
October 23, 05
The United Nations said it’s investigating reports of gang wars between rival diamond thieves on the grounds of the MIBA diamond mine in th southern Democratic Republic of Congo which cost the lives of 13 people so far.
Some of the gangs are made up of former policemen and soldiers, commonly known as ‘suicidaires’.
“There were deaths in the MIBA compound when different groups of artesanal miners fought over diamonds on Monday night,” U.N. spokesman Jean-Tobie told Reuters.
Local witnesses say clashes between gangs and MIBA security staff occur almost nightly.
According to U.N. officials, the 13 people killed were from rival Suicidaires gangs and were not killed by MIBA security staff.