Burundi: The conflict in Congo could lead to a major war
The conflict in Congo-Kinshasa could spill over into neighboring countries. Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye said in a video statement today.
– If things continue like this, there is a risk that there will be war in the entire region.
The conflict between the M23 rebels and the government in Congo-Kinshasa has its roots in the ethnic conflict in Rwanda, and affects almost all neighboring countries in different ways. For Burundi, for example, it concerns 10,000 soldiers who are stationed in Congo-Kinshasa under an agreement between the countries.
700 people have died and 2,800 injured in the fighting in Congo-Kinshasa since Saturday, a UN spokesman said, according to AFP.
The Rwandan-backed rebel force M23 captured the city of Goma in the eastern parts of the country earlier this week and is currently believed to be advancing towards nearby Bukavu.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the WHO had carried out an estimate of the death toll but said it was “likely to rise”.
On Friday, leaders of several countries in southern Africa held an emergency meeting to address the situation.
“Peace and security in our region is a shared responsibility,” Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said at the meeting, according to AFP.
M23 advances – volunteers arm themselves: “Ready to die”
The M23 rebel movement is advancing towards the city of Bukavu in eastern Congo-Kinshasa. This is reported by AFP, whose reporter on the spot testifies that young men in the city are queuing to join the army and defend the city.
“I am ready to die for my country,” says volunteer Juvenal Bahati Muhigirwa.
Earlier this week, M23 captured Goma in the eastern parts of the country. The country's President Felix Tshisekedi believes that they are receiving support from neighboring Rwanda - something that both M23 and Rwanda deny.
The conflict in Congo-Kinshasa could spill over into neighboring countries. Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye said in a video statement today.
– If things continue like this, there is a risk that there will be war in the entire region.
The conflict between the M23 rebels and the government in Congo-Kinshasa has its roots in the ethnic conflict in Rwanda, and affects almost all neighboring countries in different ways. For Burundi, for example, it concerns 10,000 soldiers who are stationed in Congo-Kinshasa under an agreement between the countries.
700 people have died and 2,800 injured in the fighting in Congo-Kinshasa since Saturday, a UN spokesman said, according to AFP.
The Rwandan-backed rebel force M23 captured the city of Goma in the eastern parts of the country earlier this week and is currently believed to be advancing towards nearby Bukavu.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the WHO had carried out an estimate of the death toll but said it was “likely to rise”.
On Friday, leaders of several countries in southern Africa held an emergency meeting to address the situation.
“Peace and security in our region is a shared responsibility,” Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said at the meeting, according to AFP.
M23 advances – volunteers arm themselves: “Ready to die”
The M23 rebel movement is advancing towards the city of Bukavu in eastern Congo-Kinshasa. This is reported by AFP, whose reporter on the spot testifies that young men in the city are queuing to join the army and defend the city.
“I am ready to die for my country,” says volunteer Juvenal Bahati Muhigirwa.
Earlier this week, M23 captured Goma in the eastern parts of the country. The country's President Felix Tshisekedi believes that they are receiving support from neighboring Rwanda - something that both M23 and Rwanda deny.
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