Kinshasa – Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo launched an assault on the residence of the leader of a separatist religious sect in Kinshasa early on Tuesday morning, and fired live ammunition and teargas at his supporters, a Reuters witness said.
The assault on the home of Ne Muanda Nsemi, a self-proclaimed prophet and leader of the Bundu dia Kongo (BDK) sect, began around 4.30 a.m. local time (03.30 GMT).
A witness told Reuters that dozens of police were involved in the operation and gunfire could be heard in the capital’s Ma Campagne district after daybreak.
It was unclear if the BDK supporters, who could be seen on the roofs of several nearby buildings, were armed.
A police spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.
NAN reports that Bundu dia Kongo means “union with the lord Akongo”.
Founded in 1986 by Ne Muanda Nsemi, the BDK movement describes itself as a religious group with a global vision, that is active in the science, religious and political areas.
However, according to a UN report, the BDK was founded in 1969.
