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Close to one hundred people killed due to clashes in DR Congo
(MENAFN) At least 74 people, most of them civilians, have been killed and 83 others wounded in a new wave of clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator reported late Monday.
According to the UN, fighting between government forces and M23 rebels from Dec. 2–7 involved the use of heavy weapons and shelling in densely populated areas. The violence affected multiple territories across South Kivu province, including Uvira, Walungu, Mwenga, Shabunda, Kabare, Fizi, and Kalehe.
Fresh figures also indicate that the recent hostilities have pushed more than 200,000 people from their homes since Dec. 2, with thousands fleeing into neighboring countries such as Burundi and Rwanda. The escalation adds to an already dire situation in South Kivu, which was home to 1.2 million internally displaced people before the latest conflict.
UN humanitarian coordinator Bruno Lemarquis condemned the severe toll on civilians, saying immediate measures are needed to ensure their safety. “I am deeply saddened by the devastating impact of this fighting on civilian populations. It is imperative to prevent further casualties from being added to the already tragic toll.
The use of explosive weapons in populated areas and attacks on civilian infrastructure such as schools result in unacceptable loss of life and must stop immediately. Civilians and civilian infrastructure are not targets,” he said.
Medical evacuations have also been hindered by the hostilities. Lemarquis urged all parties to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians.
According to the UN, fighting between government forces and M23 rebels from Dec. 2–7 involved the use of heavy weapons and shelling in densely populated areas. The violence affected multiple territories across South Kivu province, including Uvira, Walungu, Mwenga, Shabunda, Kabare, Fizi, and Kalehe.
Fresh figures also indicate that the recent hostilities have pushed more than 200,000 people from their homes since Dec. 2, with thousands fleeing into neighboring countries such as Burundi and Rwanda. The escalation adds to an already dire situation in South Kivu, which was home to 1.2 million internally displaced people before the latest conflict.
UN humanitarian coordinator Bruno Lemarquis condemned the severe toll on civilians, saying immediate measures are needed to ensure their safety. “I am deeply saddened by the devastating impact of this fighting on civilian populations. It is imperative to prevent further casualties from being added to the already tragic toll.
The use of explosive weapons in populated areas and attacks on civilian infrastructure such as schools result in unacceptable loss of life and must stop immediately. Civilians and civilian infrastructure are not targets,” he said.
Medical evacuations have also been hindered by the hostilities. Lemarquis urged all parties to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians.
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