Rwanda-backed rebels controlling eastern Congo have forced over 110,000 people to leave settlement camps, displacing them in recent days. The M23 rebels, who captured the region’s largest city Goma in January, issued a 72-hour ultimatum for displaced individuals to return to their villages. While they initially claimed returns should be voluntary, locals report that many are being forced to leave with limited aid.
The situation has raised concerns among humanitarian groups, including Doctors Without Borders, which describes the scenario as “extremely worrying.” Many displaced people have no place to go due to destroyed homes and lack of food, forcing them to choose between shelter or fleeing. The M23 rebels claim to be taking action against killings in nearby Bukavu, but locals report ongoing violence.
The conflict has killed at least 2,000 people in Goma and displaced over 500,000 others in the region. The UN estimates that more than half of those affected are in need of humanitarian aid.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/congo-m23-goma-displaced-people-d21884a2a6f5f6ed2b23b2e7294eea94