8 Red Cross Workers Kidnapped in Congo

(April 13) -- Eight Red Cross workers have been kidnapped by an armed militia in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the international agency said today.

The eight, one Swiss and seven Congolese, have been held since April 9 in an area of South Kivu Province that has been the scene of violent clashes in recent months, according to a statement on the group's Web site.

Thousands of people have been forced to flee the area near the town of Fizi, which has been wracked by chaos since the effects of the 1994 genocide spread across the border from Rwanda.

"We demand that the group holding our personnel release them as quickly as possible," said Franz Rauchenstein, head of the Geneva-based agency's mission in Congo.

The militia, identified as Mai Mai Yakutumba, is one of many armed groups operating in the area.

Rauchenstein, who said the Red Cross had been "in touch with our colleagues," added, "We continue to insist that the strictly neutral, impartial and humanitarian nature of our work be recognized, and that our colleagues be able to return to their loved ones soon."

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it maintained a permanent presence in several areas of South Kivu, a remote region that presents logistical and security challenges.

"It is in order to protect and assist armed-conflict victims that we have been carrying out our activities in the area," Rauchenstein said.