Eastern Congo residents scramble for food and safety as conflict intensifies
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters An intensifying conflict between Democratic Republic of Congo’s army and the Tutsi-led M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, has disrupted food supplies to the eastern city of Goma, affecting over two million residents and displaced individuals. Clashes have escalated since the start of the year in towns and villages […]
Congolese city Goma under threat as thousands flee rebel advance
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters A rocket landed near a university in the Congolese city of Goma on Wednesday as thousands of civilians fled a fresh advance by M23 rebels that threatens to isolate the city of around two million people. There were no casualties from the strike, which blasted a crater into open […]
In Congo’s east, elections dominated by conflict and voter anger
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Conflict defined Ishara Bahati Yassin’s childhood, forcing him time and again to flee his home in eastern Congo, where like millions of compatriots he now lives in a crowded camp for displaced people, sharing a tent with three brothers. At 20, Yassin is eligible to vote for the first […]
Mass graves found in east Congo village after M23 rebel retreat, HRW says
Reuters Democratic Republic of Congo’s M23 rebels allegedly executed scores of villagers and militia members between November and April and buried their bodies in mass graves, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday, accusing Rwanda of backing the group. The Tutsi-led M23 staged a major offensive in Congo’s restive east last year, triggering an armed response […]
In shadow of conflict nearby, rebel upsurge hits Congo’s Ituri
Kigonze Camp, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Marie Dzedza has lost hope of leaving a displaced people’s camp and returning to her village in the eastern Congolese province of Ituri, where rebel violence is surging while regional attention focuses on a conflict in a neighbouring territory. Five years ago, Dzedza lost both her hands in […]
Congolese Tutsis describe violent campaign to stop them voting
Nyangezi, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters A group of Congolese Tutsis were guarded by armed police as they registered to vote in the eastern town of Nyangezi in February, with one of the group describing a campaign of threats and violence aimed at excluding them from the upcoming election. One newly registered voter at the […]
Congolese flee on foot towards Goma as rebels advance
Sake, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Safari Hangi walked for hours with a baby strapped to his back and six young children in tow trying to find safety as apparent gains by rebel forces in eastern Congo sparked a fresh exodus of people towards the provincial capital Goma. Displaced people fleeing Gome. PICTURE: Screenshot from […]
Army in control of town near key eastern Congo city Goma after gunfire
Sake, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters A town just west of the major east Congo city of Goma appeared under army control on Thursday hours after hundreds of residents fled an outbreak of gunfire for fear of an advance by M23 rebels, according to a Reuters reporter in the area. Hundreds of people had left […]
East African regional leaders demand ceasefire in eastern Congo
Bujumbura, Democratic Republic of CongoReuters East African regional leaders on Saturday renewed their call for an immediate ceasefire by all sides in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that pits the country’s military against a rebel group it has accused Rwanda of supporting. At a summit in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura, the leaders of […]
“Hands off Africa!”: Pope blasts foreign plundering of Congo
Kinshasa, Congo AP Pope Francis demanded Tuesday that foreign powers stop plundering Africa’s natural resources for the “poison of their own greed” as he arrived in Congo to a raucous welcome by Congolese grateful he was focusing the world’s attention on their forgotten plight. Tens of thousands of people lined the main road into the […]