he humanitarian situation in the zone of Uvira is extremely critical”. This was the comment made to MISNA concerning the alarming conditions of the population of Uvira (South Kivu, east Democratic Republic of Congo) and surrounding zones, by an aid worker (who requested anonymity).
The clashes of the past days claimed the lives of at least 9 innocent civilians. While the losses suffered by the two armed movements are countless.
“Thousands fled following the clashes of the past days. The people have become used to this continuous exodus and we are forced to watch them leave with their little if any belongings bundled on their heads”. Last Sunday and Monday Uvira was theatre to another violent armed confrontation between the rebels of the RCD-Goma (Congolese Rally for Democracy) that control the area and the Mayi-Mayi (Congolese nationalist partisans).
The alert on the gravity of the situation was launched also by the UNHCR (UN High Commission for Refugees). The UN agency yesterday referred that in the past four days at least 8-thousand people left the hinterland of Uvira headed over the border toward Burundi. According to the UNHCR, a new inflow of refugees was registered in the location of Rugombo in the Burundian province of Cibitoke, which already hosts over 12-thousand Congolese refugees.
“The clashes of the past days claimed the lives of at least 9 innocent civilians. While the losses suffered by the two armed movements are countless”, continued the MISNA source. “These militiamen are worse than locusts – explained the aid worker – after the clashes they give way to systematic looting that strikes everything and everyone. I watched them taking everything they could find from the abandoned homes, even rags. They leave nothing behind. And the people of these zones already have close to nothing”.
The fighting between the Mayi-Mayi and Rwandan-backed rebels of the RCD-Goma appears to have temporarily halted. The latest combat was reported two days ago along the road that takes from Uvira to Baraka, the port on the banks of Lake Tanganyika. Based on reports, the Mayi-Mayi retreated threatening to return in a few days for a new and more violent offensive. “There is widespread fear and total insecurity, let’s hope that the international community managed to do something”, concluded the aid worker.
For months now the city of Uvira, back under the control of the RCD-Goma since the end of October, has been an object of dispute between the two armed factions. It is important to note that all the sides involved in the DR-Congo conflict undersigned the so-called ‘global and inclusive accord’ December 17 in Pretoria (South Africa). An accord that, at least in intent, should define the future political structure of the Democratic Republic of Congo and that was applauded by all sides as the first step toward peace in the nation.
(From MISNA)