DR Congo army barred from serving as bodyguards

The commander of the 8th military region in North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), general Vainqueur Mayala, has banned the army known as FARDC from serving as bodyguards for politicians or businessmen.

General Mayala, who was addressing the media on Friday, reiterated that the army was apolitical.

"Any politician or businessman who wants to be protected should seek the services of private security firms or the police," Mayala affirmed.

It has been reported that most politicians and businessmen operating in this region decided to take bodyguards from the military because of insecurity in this region.

About two weeks ago, the motorcade of DR Congo's Higher Education Minister Leonard Mashako Mamba was attacked in North Kivu by an unknown armed group. His driver and one bodyguard were killed in the shoot-out.

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