Supporters of a jailed Christian sect leader attacked the prison holding him in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital, freeing him and about 50 other inmates early on Wednesday, the government said.
Ne Muanda Nsemi - a self-styled prophet and leader of the Bundu dia Kongo movement - was arrested in March after a series of deadly clashes between his supporters and police, government spokesman Lambert Mende said.
Witnesses said they had heard gunfire near Makala prison at around 4 a.m. (0300 GMT) and saw prisoners wearing blue shirts with yellow collars in the streets.
The United Nations warned its staff to avoid unessential movement around Kinshasa, saying the situation was calm but unpredictable.
Soldiers stopped young men for questioning near Nsemi's house in the city's district of Ngaliema and arresting some of them, a Reuters witness said.
Justice minister Alexis Thambwe told a local radio station that, aside from Nsemi, the prison's most prominent prisoners, including political opposition leaders and soldiers convicted in the assassination of former president Laurent Kabila, had not escaped.
The president of Bundu dia Kongo's political wing could not be immediately reached for comment.
Nsemi has a strong following in southwestern Congo and wants to revive the Kongo kingdom, which flourished for centuries around the mouth of the Congo River.
Clashes between his followers and security forces have compounded wider tensions across Congo since President Joseph Kabila refused to step down when his mandate expired in December, raising fears of renewed civil conflict.
At least six of Nsemi's supporters were killed earlier this year during the two-week standoff at his Kinshasa residence that led to his capture.
Reuters
Wed May 17 2017
Burned vehicles are seen at the front gate of the Makala prison after it was attacked by supporters of jailed Christian sect leader Ne Muanda Nsemi in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo May 17, 2017. REUTERS/Robert Carrubba
SOP keselamatan haji TH ikut ISO 9001 2015
Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP) yang disediakan Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) berkaitan aspek keselamatan jemaah semasa di tanah suci adalah berlandaskan sistem pengurusan ISO 9001 2025 perkhidmatan haji yang perlu dipatuhi jemaah apabila berdepan kejadian luar jangka seperti insiden kren tumbang dan rempuhan di mina sebelum ini.
Ribuan peserta berarak di ibu kota Kuala Lumpur
Acara yang berlangsung sekitar satu jam itu menyaksikan para peserta berarak sepanjang jalan di Bukit Bintang sebelum berpatah balik ke Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia jadi Negara Contoh ‘Best Practice’ perkembangan AI
Pada sidang 'planery' bagi Sesi Peringkat Tinggi, mesyuarat tersebut turut menyifatkan Malaysia sebagai antara negara Komanwel yang berada di hadapan dalam membangunkan transformasi digital dan AI.
Tawar diskaun 40 peratus belian barangan keperluan perniagaan
Beban peniaga makanan menyediakan Menu Rahmah berikutan kenaikan harga barang boleh diatasi, apabila mereka memohon dan menggunakan kad diskaun khas Menu Rahmah
Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup Fuziah Salleh berkata ini kerana kad diskaun khas itu menawarkan pembelian barang keperluan perniagaan dengan diskaun sehingga 40 peratus.
Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup Fuziah Salleh berkata ini kerana kad diskaun khas itu menawarkan pembelian barang keperluan perniagaan dengan diskaun sehingga 40 peratus.
987 bayi didiagnosis masalah pendengaran pada 2023
Seramai 987 daripada 253,822 bayi yang disaring menerusi Program Saringan Pendengaran Bayi Universal (UNHS) pada 2023 didiagnosis mengalami masalah pendengaran, kata Menteri Kesihatan Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
PM Anwar saksikan pertukaran 6 MoU antara Malaysia dan Uzbekistan
MoU itu antaranya melibatkan Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia (MATRADE) dengan Dewan Perdagangan dan Industri Uzbekistan (CCIU) sebagai usaha mengukuhkan dan membangunkan kerjasama promosi perdagangan antara Malaysia dan Uzbekistan serta pertukaran maklumat perdagangan.
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Sabtu, 18 Mei 2024.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Piala Dunia Sepak Takraw: Malaysia tewaskan China acara regu
Malaysia memulakan aksi Kumpulan B acara regu kategori premier Kejohanan Piala Dunia Sepak Takraw 2024 dengan langkah kanan selepas menewaskan China di Stadium Titiwangsa di sini hari ini.
Selangor tewaskan KDA FC 1-0, bergema 'siu' di MBPJ
Jaringan tunggal Aliff Haiqal Lokman Hakim Lau menyaksikan Selangor FC memulakan saingan Liga Super 2024/2025 dengan cemerlang, apabila meraih tiga mata penuh selepas menewaskan KDA FC 1-0.