Heavy gunshots heard in Republic of Congo capital

Heavy gunshots were heard early Monday in the Republic of Congo capital, Brazzaville, particularly near Bigouity police post in the capital's first district, witnesses said.

According to residents of Brazzaville's southern suburbs, the firing with heavy and automatic weapons started at around 2:00 a.m. local time.

So far, there has been no official explanation for the firing nor the death toll.

A police station was set on fire following fighting between members of the Congolese police force and unidentified assailants in southern Brazzaville between Sunday night and Monday morning.

The situation remained difficult to assess, but calm seems to have been restored at around 9:00 a.m..

Several witnesses told Xinhua heavy gunshots were first heard in Mayanga and Makelekele districts at around 2:00 a.m. and continued until 6:00 a.m..

Witnesses living in Kinsuka suburb said some explosions could be heard in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo that is located on the other side of River Congo.

Witnesses said the main police station was burned in Makelekele.

Sources that did not wish to be named said the assailants could be "ninja" militias belonging to former rebel leader, Pastor Ntoumi.

Source: XINHUA