Two Roman Catholic Priests 'kidnapped' In Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo officials confirm that two Roman Catholic priests have been kidnapped by a militia in the North Kivu province of the country.

Lately, kidnappings occur frequently in the part of eastern DR Congo due to conflict between the Nande and Hunde ethnic groups and Hutus.

Bishop Paluku Sikuli of the Beni-Butembo region told AFP that the two priests, who are ethnic Nandes, were taken by the Mai Mai militia into the mountains. Their abductors took two vehicles and two motorbikes.  

Amisi Kalonda, a local administrator, confirmed the priests' kidnapping saying "our defence and security services are working to find them." According to the administrator, the kidnappers abandoned the vehicles they were travelling in.  

Five years ago, three priests were abducted near Beni by rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces from neighbouring Uganda. They have never been heard of since.