200,000 flee new push by Rwanda-backed rebels in Congo despite Trump deal
Rwanda
About 200,000 people have fled their homes in eastern Congo in recent days, the United Nations said, as Rwanda-backed rebels march on a strategic town just days after Donald Trump hosted the Rwandan and Congolese leaders to proclaim peace.
In a statement released late on Monday, the U.N. 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 Democratic Republic of Congo troops and local groups known as Wazalendo in villages north of the town.
In Washington, the U.S. and nine other members of the International Contact Group (ICG) for the Great Lakes on Tuesday voiced “profound concern” over the renewed violence, the group said in a joint statement.
It said the new M23 rebel offensive “has a destabilizing potential for the whole region” adding that the growing use of attack and suicide drones marked a major escalation in the fighting and posed a serious threat to civilians.
The violence follows last week’s hosting by the U.S. president of the Rwandan and Congolese presidents in Washington for the ceremonial signing of a pact affirming U.S. and Qatari-brokered commitments to end the war.
“Today we’re succeeding where so many others have failed,” Trump said at the December 4 event, claiming his administration had ended a 30-year conflict that had led to the deaths of millions.
‘DO NOT FLEE UVIRA,’ SAYS REBEL COALITION
M23 fighters pushed toward Uvira on Tuesday after coming under attack by government forces, said Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) rebel coalition, urging fleeing soldiers not to abandon the town.
“You are Congolese… and Wazalendo soldiers. Do not flee Uvira. Wait for us to free you,” said Nangaa of the AFC, a broad coalition of which M23 is a part.
A Congolese army spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.
