A United Nations official says two peacekeepers from Benin have gone missing in Tanganyika province in Congo's southeast.

U.N. Congo mission spokeswoman Florence Marchal says the two went missing Friday in Nyunzu territory after 13 peacekeepers went on a mission from Kongolo town to Kalemie town. She says the U.N. is searching for the two peacekeepers.

The vice-governor of Tanganyika, Ali Omar Simukinje, confirms that two peacekeepers have gone missing in an area where Mai Mai and other militias operate.

Eastern Congo has long been home to a myriad of armed groups that compete over the region's rich mineral wealth. Kidnappings for ransom are common.