WESTERN PROVINCE
 
RUSIZI — Unidentified Congolese soldiers shot and killed two fishermen  while another one sustained serious injuries  in Lake Kivu, security sources told The New Times.

The deceased, were identified as Ezekia Habimana (34) who died on the spot and Mathias Nzeyimana, who died on his way to hospital.

According to our sources drawn from security services in Kamembe, the incident took place last Wednesday at around 4:45 am. The sources indicated that the deceased were shot while fishing on the Congolese side of the Lake.

The source further alleged that four Congolese soldiers suspected to have shot the deceased were patrolling the waters of Lake Kivu in a boat and upon getting into contact with the deceased they accused them of fishing in Congolese waters.

According to our sources, the fishermen explained in vain that they had not crossed to the DRC’s side. However the soldiers responded by shooting Habimana on the forehead killing him instantly, before shooting the others.

Evaridi Niyibeshaho, who narrowly escaped death during the shooting incident, is currently admitted at Gihundwe Hospital.

"Niyibeshaho informed us that they were shot by some Congolese soldiers who accused them of fishing within Congolese waters, but for sure, we have since ascertained that the fishermen had not gone beyond our borders. It seems that these soldiers had other motives because we firmly believe that cold blooded killing which was carried out was not a solution. We are still trying to find out their motives,” a Police source said.

Speaking from his hospital bed last Sunday Niyibeshaho said, "What I can recall  is that those who shot at us were wearing Congolese military uniforms. They approached us and ordered us to disembark from our boat claiming that we had crossed to their side and immediately they begun to shoot at us.”

Niyibeshaho further claimed that some Congolese fishermen often send Congolese soldiers to loot fish caught by Rwandan fishermen. At a security meeting which was held at Inshuti pastoral centre in Kamembe last Friday, security officials said that they would meet their Congolese counterparts to discuss the security situation in Lake Kivu.    

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