North Kivu is again a crucible of conflict in Congo. Since fighting resumed between the insurgents of Laurent Nkunda and the national army in December 2006, over 370,000 civilians have been displaced in the province. Since May 2007 and due to the failure of the latest attempt to integrate Nunda’s troops into the army, the crisis has deeply worsened.
The UN attempts to impose a ceasefire and appoint a special envoy to mediate have also failed. President Joseph Kabila’s 15 October decision to suspend the offensive operations and his subsequent call on all Congolese armed groups in the region to present themselves for disarmament or army integration is welcome news, though the fighting continues. There is no real dialogue with Nkunda. A comprehensive initiative needs to be launched urgently to de-escalate the crisis and address the root causes of the conflict.
Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes around the Eastern Congolese city of Goma as fighting between the rebels and government forces intensifies. The current wave of violence highlights the complex nature of the conflict in Eastern DRC; each part blaming the other for the recent escalation of violence.
The internally displaced people are increasingly dividing themselves along ethnic lines, with non-Tutsis fleeing into areas controlled by the FARDC and the Tutsis moving primarily into Nkunda-controlled areas, raising concerns about the potential for ethnically targeted massacres. These people have been traumatized by the ongoing violence, and frequently arrive at IDP sites with almost nothing, having been ‘taxed’ and looted along the way. ...
“The situation for civilians is desperate, and it threatens to deteriorate further if nothing is done to stop the fighting. All the parties that signed the Goma peace agreement should adhere strictly to their obligations, including the protection of civilians and respect the Nairobi agreement and the rights of Congolese to leave in peace.” said Jeff Mitshabu, CEO of ARWA Australia
The heavy fighting, the worst since the ceasefire was signed sometimes ago, started in Rutshuru territory in North Kivu province before spreading to the territory of Masisi and then to Kalehe territory in South Kivu. Since January 23, the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUC, has recorded more than 250 ceasefire violations both in North and South Kivu.
Each round of fighting resulted in fresh displacement of civilians. The exact numbers are difficult to estimate as those returning home are frequently forced to flee again, and the UN believes that more than 1.2 million people are now displaced in North and South Kivu.
ARWA is calling on your good will to help the people of Eastern DRC.
Should you wish to support our work, please contact us on 0400130543, 0408 775 110 or 0404 920 606 or visit our website. Any donation is welcome.
ARWA Australia would like also to thank you for your generosity and solidarity to the people of the Eastern DRC.
Ongoing fighting in the eastern part of the DRC:
ARWA Annual Report 2006-2007
Temporary shelters for internally displaced people in Katanga
Launching the Katuba Maternity and Health Care Community Project
Relaunching arwa.org.au
ARWA officially launched by the Attorney General of Australia Mr Philip Ruddock.
