/ 19 April 2000

UNKNOWN REBELS BEHIND DRC EXPLOSION

A HITHERTO unknown rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo has said it is behind an explosion at Kinshasa airport last week in which over 100 people died. “The attack on Ndjili airport is only the beginning. [DRC President Laurent] Kabila knows now we can get him when and where we decide,” said a statement from the group, calling itself the Public Salvation Army. At least 104 people were killed and 237 injured when an explosion and a fire broke out on Friday at an arms depot at Ndjili international airport, which serves Kinshasa. The explosion occured on the day a new ceasefire agreed in Kampala to end 20 months of fighting between Kabila and rebels backed by Rwanda and Uganda came into effect.