Congolese continue fleeing to Uganda as clashes continue

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) – Thousands of Congolese refugees have fled to bordering Uganda in the last 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday, as fighting between rebels and Congolese forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo continues.

Amon Tusiime, a security officer in Uganda's Kisoro district, told Anadolu Agency that about 6,000 refugees were registered in Nyakabande transit center in the last 24 hours. The transit center is approximately 10 kilometers from the border and serves as the initial reception center for refugees.

Daniel Kisamo, an official at the center, also confirmed the numbers.

Uganda Red Cross spokesperson Irene Nakasita said "we are handling the humanitarian situation ... giving relief support to help people develop coping mechanisms."

Peter Mushanga, a Congolese refugee who just arrived in Uganda, told Anadolu Agency: "We had to flee because the conflict between rebels and government forces had reached our village. We didn't flee last week because the fighting was a bit far."

Police said nearly 13,000 people from Congo fled to Uganda since last week following intense fighting between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels and the Congolese army.

In 2013, the M23 rebel group, made up of army deserters, signed a peace agreement with the Congolese government in Kenya's capital Nairobi.

Under the agreement, the M23 accepted to be demobilized and renounce violence, while the Congolese government in turn committed to grant amnesty to some members of the group who had not committed "serious crimes."

Since then, however, the rebels once in a while reassemble and launch attacks on Congolese army positions as its leaders have complained about the slow implementation of the peace accord.​​​​​​​