Congolese rebels and government forces started trading heavy weapons fire around two eastern Congo villages on July 20, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes toward the provincial capital. According to UN experts, the neighboring country of Rwanda—site of the 1994 mass murder of more than 800,000 people—is supporting the rebels.
The escalation in ongoing conflicts between Congo’s government forces and the rebels, called the M23, occured just days ahead of a regional summit due to address solutions to the rebellion.
Children sit at a camp for people displaced by fighting in the eastern Congolese city of Goma, July 23, 2012. Reports of support for rebel fighters from neighboring Rwanda have stoked fears of a slide into broader central African conflict, although countries in the region last week agreed on a plan to eradicate armed groups in eastern Congo. So far, such plans have had little effect in reducing regional violence.
Photo: James Akena/Reuters
Rwandan Refuge
A child carries firewood through the Kigeme refugee camp in Rwanda, July 18, 2012. Since May, more than 10,000 refugees have arrived in Rwanda from Eastern Congo fleeing the fighting between the M23 rebels and Congolese government forces. The two African countries have a history of conflict. After three years of relative calm, this new rebellion is increasing tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Photo: Alissa Everett/Reuters
Fleeing Masses
Recent arrivals who fled fighting wait for registration at Magunga III refugee camp, outside the eastern Congolese city of Goma, July 23, 2012. Since April, around 260,000 civilians have had to leave their homes and several hundred fighters have been killed in clashes between M23 rebels and the Congolese government forces.
Photo: Alissa Everett/Reuters
Carry you in my arms
A woman carries two children while fleeing renewed fighting between Congolese army and M23 rebels near the eastern Congolese city of Goma July 24, 2012. Children under the age of 5 account for 50 percent of all deaths in the DRC, and troops from all sides of armed conflicts in the region have a history of forcing women to bear the brunt of the attendant atrocities.
Photo: James Akena/Reuters
Fleeing and Invading
Congolese troops drive in a pick-up truck past families fleeing renewed fighting fighting between Congolese army and M23 rebels near the eastern Congolese city of Goma July 24, 2012. Government forces have historically rivaled rebel troops in committing war crimes against defenseless civilian populations, including women and children.
Photo: James Akena/Reuters
Rebels on a Roll
M23 rebel fighters rest at their defense position in Karambi, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in north Kivu province, near the border with Uganda. Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and neighboring states called for the creation of an international military force to eliminate armed rebels in turbulent eastern Congo. Congo’s government, whose army has retreated in disarray before the advancing M23 rebels over the past week, accused neighbor Rwanda of fomenting and supporting the rebellion, which began as a mutiny by former rebels in the government army.
Photo: James Akena/Reuters
Tanks for Peace
A UN peacekeeping patrol drives through the eastern Congolese city of Goma, July 23, 2012. UN gunships have been spotted flying toward hot spots in the conflict. UN peacekeepers have previously shown support for government troops, but alliances and allegiances shift. The current fighting was triggered by a stray commander from the official army.
