Felix Nkambeh Tih
July 06, 2018•Update: July 07, 2018
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo
A clash between Congolese and Ugandan soldiers on the waters of Lake Edward has left several soldiers and civilians dead, a security source said on Friday.
The clash broke out on Thursday when the Congolese navy was accompanying a civilian delegation who were to negotiate the release of some 30 fishermen detained last month.
"A Congolese soldier and a civilian have been seriously injured, they are between life and death," Major Jean Tsongo, chief of the Congolese naval patrol in the Kyavinyonge town, told Anadolu Agency.
"The Ugandan military followed us to our territory. We had not yet crossed their zone," Tsongo said, without providing information on the Ugandan casualties.
However, a Congolese security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, told Anadolu Agency that eight people -- including three civilians and five Congolese soldiers -- were killed in the clashes.
The Ugandan army had arrested 57 Congolese fishermen on Lake Edward two weeks ago.
Later, only 24 of them were released, said Josue Mukura, chairman of Lake Edward’s Fishermen Committee. "These arrests are arbitrary," Mukura added.
The Ugandan authorities are yet to comment on the developments.
The DRC shares borders with nine countries. Most of its border demarcations are not well defined.
Lake Edward is a petroleum prospective area.
