December 9, about 200 000 people have fled their homes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in recent days, the United Nations (UN) said, as Rwanda-backed rebels march on a strategic town just days after United States (US)President Donald Trump hosted the Rwandan and DRC leaders to proclaim peace.
In a statement released late on Monday, the UN said at least 74 people had been killed, mostly civilians, and 83 admitted to hospital with wounds from escalating clashes in the area in recent days.
Local officials and residents said the Rwanda-backed M23 group has been advancing towards the lakeside town of Uvira on the border with Burundi, and battling with Congolese troops and local groups known as Wazalendo in villages north of the town.
Trump hosted the presidents of Rwanda and DRC in Washington on Thursday for a ceremony to sign a pact affirming US and Qatari-brokered commitments to end the war.
“Today we’re succeeding where so many others have failed,” Trump said, claiming his administration had ended a 30 year conflict that had led to the deaths of millions.
Reuters reported on Monday that the rebels had captured Luvungi, a town that had stood as the front line since February, and that fierce fighting was underway near Sange and Kiliba, villages further along the road towards Uvira from the north.
Rwanda denies supporting the rebels in DRC, although Washington and the UN say evidence of Rwandan backing is clear.
Prior to the latest upsurge in fighting, the conflict had already displaced at least 1.2 million people.
–Reuters–
