People w/machetes aren’t happy – Dungu Txt Updates
Key: Congolese Army = FARDC; UN in Congo = MONUC; Bamokandi = outlying neighborhood of Dungu (on the other side of the river from the center of town).
- LRA spotted inside Dungu yet again Tuesday morning, 7 a.m. No Attack. about 20 hours ago
- Five of them hunkered down in a cemetery, watching, then crossed the road and disappeared into the bush. about 20 hours ago from txt
- Scouting another attack? FARDC patrolling the main roads, but it would be EASY for them to attack the neighborhood they hit a few weeks ago. about 20 hours ago from txt
- They’re obviously scouting where FARDC is/ is not. Visited site of attack today. It was 1 pm so okay. But I bet they’ll be back before we leave. We’re on it.
- FARDC stoking rumors MONUC is supporting LRA (UN seen carrying civilians with guns – think its IRA) Jan 28, 1:21 PM Pacific Time
- Locals are SO ANGRY at FARDC, Kabila, and the UN. No protection anywhere. about 20 hours ago from txt
- Interviewed 12 year old girl today- Mado- just rescued from 8 months held captive by LRA. Shot in the leg- recovering now. about 20 hours ago from txt
- Also interviewed 2 men recovering from machete wounds to head and back, incurred during LRA attacks over the weekend. about 20 hours ago from txt
- And unbraided Koko’s hair, learned how to pound, de-husk rice! What a day in Congo! about 20 hours ago from txt
- It’s getting sketchy here in town. FARDC stoking rumors MONUC is supporting LRA. about 4 hours ago from txt
- Citizens near riots, cutting down mango trees, blocking MONUC access to Bamokandi (and airport). We’re in lock down on this side of town. about 4 hours ago from txt
- Koko’s family on other side of bridge. Can’t see them today. Hanging out at mission. Working on bringing Mama Koko back over here. about 4 hours ago from txt
- Paranoia. 2 FARDC soldiers claim they saw the UN drop 6 armed civilians next to the forest. People think it was the LRA – hence the upset. about 1 hour ago from txt
- The problem – just heard from mayor FARDC is known to make up stories to provoke upset. If so, it worked. about 1 hour ago from txt
- Now everyone I’ve talked with today believes the LRA is sponsored by the UN. Hence the mango tree riots. That, my friends, is the face of instability. Crazy. about 1 hour ago from txt
- Never mind the airport road – now the FARDC is all over the center of town, winding people up, stoking the fire. According to Koko’s brother. about 1 hour ago from txt
- I want to go into town center to see what’s happening, but Koko’s family thinks a wound-up crowd could easily mistake a white girl for MONUC. about 1 hour ago from txt
- Getting serious Koko’s brother just reported residents of Bamokandi are guarding the road to the airport w/ machetes, guns, spears about 1 hr ago from txt
- People are all the way too the Mama Koko’s place and past, up to the bridge into town w/machetes and guns, etc. Jan 29 3:19 pm Dungu time
- Saying if MONUC and FARDC won’t protect them, they’ll protect themselves. Jan 29, 3:20 pm Dungu time
- The UN Base by the airport. That’s the point of the protest. Block the UN from that road since they support the LRA. They’ll run out of water. We’ll protect ourselves. Jan 29, 3:31 pm Dungu time
- Koko says its for my safety we’re hunkered down here. She could go home, but doesn’t want to see people w/ machetes. She’s seen it before (in rwanda). Jan 29, 3:37 pm Dungu time
- “People with machetes aren’t happy. It’s not a good time. ” Jan 29, 3:37 pm Dungu time
My daughter, Luellen Kazan, is in Dungu with MercyCorp distributing money. Who is there? Lisa? Mboligihe? Will someone let me know what’s going on there now?
Thank you so much.
It is so annoying to read that it is paranoia the facts which are taking place.Mutilated people lying in Dungu general hospital is paranoia.Sloughtered man mournned at Dungu may is a paranoia.Thousands of my fellow men in the bush is a real paranoia.Bodies decaying in the push in Niangara is paranoia.
I too, am hoping and praying for your safety….
Hoping you and Koko are safe…