Thousands of people are fleeing renewed fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as clashes intensify between government troops and M23 rebels, days after DRC and Rwanda recommitted to a peace deal.
Residents in South Kivu have begun a desperate exodus from villages including Luvungi, Katogota and Kamanyola, carrying what belongings they can under the sound of explosions.
“The M23 and the Congolese army are dropping many bombs on Luvungi,” said Mulumbulwa Gabriel, a resident displaced by the conflict, who told Africanews the violence has already claimed several lives. “Since the day before yesterday, they have caused numerous deaths. Yesterday, people were killed in my neighborhood, which is why we decided to flee today.”
Local sources said around twenty civilians have been killed in the Ruzizi plain as fighting continued through Saturday.
“We are walking to Uvira,” said Aline Sambuka. “May the authorities help put an end to this war! We want to go back home and live like everyone else. Many people have died because of the bombings. I survived with my children.”
The escalation comes barely 48 hours after President Félix Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame signed a pact in Washington aimed at easing tensions and restoring peace in the region. Accusations of ceasefire violations by both the Congolese Armed Forces and the M23 have already undermined the agreement, renewing fear among civilians caught in the conflict.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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