/ 10 May 1999

GOLD KILLS DRC TROOPS

FIGHTING between Rwandan and Ugandan soldiers over gold in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 213 lives, the Congolese Press Agency said on Thursday. Quoting army headquarters, the official news agency said 200 Rwandan soldiers and 13 Ugandans were killed “recently” in Orientale and Maniema provinces, areas under the control of the rebels both forces back against the Kinshasa government. “For a kilo of gold, a sack of coffee or even a piece of wood, the aggressors don’t hesitate to open fire to get a hold of riches,” army headquarters said.