Congo Militia Kidnap
Eight Red Cross Staff
The
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said eight
of its staff members have been kidnapped in eastern Democratic
Republic of Congo.
The group said in a statement that the eight, a Swiss citizen
and seven Congolese, have been held since last week by Mai Mai
armed militia, with bases near the remote area of Fizi, in South
Kivu province.
Head of the ICRC delegation in the country, Franz Rauchenstein,
demanded that the group holding the personnel since last Friday
release them as quickly as possible.
A spokeswoman of ICRC in Geneva said she could not provide any
further details about the staff or whether the agency was in
contact with the Mai Mai.
The ICRC maintains a permanent presence in South Kivu province
in Bukavu, Uvira, Marungu and Fizi.
REUTERS/Williams/Yinka
