adminHeavy and sporadic gunfire has been heard in the capital of the Republic of Congo as police fought with what one official described as militia fighters. The apparent fighting comes just weeks after President Denis Sassou N’Guesso’s re-election. The gunfire tapered off at times as it was heard to ring out in the southern Bacongo and Makelekele neighbourhoods of Brazzaville.
A government official said early yesterday that authorities were monitoring the situation.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press, said militiamen known as “the Ninjas” were fighting with police.
The government battled the rebels in the early 2000s, when they demanded a larger role in government and the military.
The Ninjas were also one of the main anti-government forces in the 1998-99 civil war. A peace deal was signed in 2003.
At least 18 people were killed by security forces during opposition demonstrations ahead of the October referendum. — AP
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