Resurgent east Congo violence displaces 72,000 in one week

By Larry John Brown

Published: May 28, 2022 | 7:21 AM GMT

Fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo over the past week between the army and M23 rebel group has forced more than 72,000 people from their homes, the United Nations said on Friday.

The M23, a rebellion claiming to represent the interests of ethnic Tutsis in eastern Congo, is staging its largest offensive since a 2012-2013 insurrection that captured vast swathes of the countryside.

There has been heavy fighting as near as 20 km (12 miles) to eastern Congo’s main city of Goma, and the rebels briefly captured the army’s largest base in the area.

Of the 72,000 who have fled, about 7,000 reportedly crossed into neighbouring Uganda, the U.N. Refugee Agency said in a statement. Others have headed to Goma or taken shelter in sites built to house people fleeing a volcanic eruption last year.

Eastern Congo has experienced near constant conflict since 1996, when Rwanda and other neighbouring states invaded in pursuit of Hutu militiamen who had participated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Congo has 5.6 million internally displaced persons, the most in Africa, according to U.N. figures. There are at least 1.9 million in North Kivu, the province where the current fighting is taking place.

About Larry John Brown

Larry John is a talented writer and journalist based in New York, USA. He is a valued contributor to TDPel Media, where he creates engaging and informative content for readers. Larry has a keen interest in current events, business, and technology, and he enjoys exploring these topics in-depth to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the issues. His writing style is characterized by its clarity, precision, and attention to detail, which make his articles a pleasure to read. Larry’s passion for storytelling has earned him a reputation as a skilled writer and a respected authority in his field.