Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Beni
Part of Nationale 2, main road in Beni
Beni
Location in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Coordinates: 0°30′N 29°28′E / 0.500°N 29.467°E / 0.500; 29.467
Country Democratic Republic of the Congo
Province North Kivu
Government
 • Mayor Jules Nungwana
Population (2013)
 • Total 231,952
Climate Af

Beni is a city in north eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, lying immediately west of the Virunga National Park and the Rwenzori Mountains, on the edge of the Ituri Forest.

Overview

It is home to a market, an airport and the Christian Bilingual University of Congo (UCBC). As of 2013 it had an estimated population of 231,952.[1] Beni contains four communes, or municipalities: Beni, Bungulu, Ruwenzori and Muhekera.

The town was the scene of fierce fighting in the Second Congo War around 2001. Beni also has many MONUC bases; elements of the Indian-led North Kivu Brigade are based in the town.

Beni's mayor was in 2007 Jules Mungwana Kasereka, since Julien Kahongya was elevated to Governor of Nord-Kivu.[2]

Between October 2014 and May 2016 over 500 people died in a series of attacks on Beni and its surrounding area that have been attributed to Ugandan Islamist rebels.[3]

The Beni massacre occurred here in August 2016.

References

  1. ↑ Institut National de la Statistique (November 2014). "Superficie et Densité de la Population en 2013". Bulletin Annuel des Statistiques Sociales, Province du Nord-Kivu (2013): 19.
  2. ↑ JeuneOnline CONGO Archived July 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ Congo police arrest at least four activists protesting massacres, SABC, 14 May 2016. Accessed 17 May 2016.

Coordinates: 0°30′N 29°28′E / 0.500°N 29.467°E / 0.500; 29.467


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