DR Congo Conflict Displaces Over 100,000 in a Week
Recent fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has displaced more than 100,000 people within a week, VOA reported citing the United Nations. Intense clashes between the Congolese army and M23 rebels in Masisi Centre, North Kivu province, occurred from January 1 to 3, resulting in approximately 102,000 displacements.
M23 rebels seized control of Masisi, a key town, amidst ongoing tensions with Hutu militias linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Rwanda’s foreign ministry condemned the international criticism of its actions, asserting that areas taken by M23 were previously held by genocidal forces.
As of January 5, relative calm returned to Masisi, allowing some displaced families to begin returning. However, humanitarian organizations warn that the influx of displaced individuals could worsen the already dire situation, with over 600,000 people displaced in the region by late November 2024. Ongoing conflicts have plagued eastern DRC for over 30 years, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
