Latest update from DR Congo

7 December, 2009 - 17:14

Pastor Ruben Kinyama, Director of local NGO ARM Congo, has been sending reports on the developing conflict in and around Marungu, DR Congo. World Emergency Relief UK has just received the following update:

Marungu, in the east of DR Congo, is a remote and impoverished region subject to intermittent conflict. In recent years the situation has improved due to a period of relative calm and the work of local NGOs and community groups but this is now under threat. The security of the whole area has been thrown into turmoil by a Government troops crack down on rebel forces. An influx of refugees and fleeing Interhamwe rebel fighters into Marungu has created a potentially volatile situation. The local population are mostly ethnic Tutsis while the Interhamwe are largely Hutu who fled after the genocide in Rwanda.

“NGO’s are still not allowed to travel into the affected areas so I am dependent on phone reports and messages from the odd person who has been able to get out.

There is still heavy fighting in the south area of the Marungu district. Many villages in the Rubibi area have been evacuated and people are taking shelter for the time being in a nearby church and community centre. The latest news is that over 100 government soldiers have moved into Marungu town where our orphanage, the Emmanuel Centre, is located.

The mountains around Marungu, the market, the forest and other areas are now occupied by the Interhamwe rebel fighters. There have not been any battles or skirmishes over the past 10 days, but the situation is very tense. All access into the mountains is blocked except for the military.

I have heard that government soldiers and rebels alike have been taking cows, goats and the like from civilians. The effects of this will be felt for a long time by hungry villagers.

Please continue to pray for peace, for the safety of the civilians and especially of the children. “

Post new comment