Doctors Without Borders raises alarm over armed clashes, looting in eastern DR Congo

By Mevlut Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has raised alarm over gunfights and looting in the conflict-ravaged eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

MSF called for the “urgent” protection of civilians, medical efforts as well as humanitarian access, as the situation hindered movements in the Uvira city, located in the South Kivu province.

“Across the city, medical and humanitarian teams are at risk. Hospitals in the area continue to receive wounded people, including civilians, every day,” the humanitarian organization said on X.

MSF expressed concern over health care access, emphasizing that it was trying to provide medical reinforcements as soon as possible.

It highlighted that MSF was “forced” to reduce its members in Uvira, though it continued the efforts to support the region, for the mpox treatment in particular.

Following the capture of Bukavu, provincial capital of South Kivu, by the M23 rebels, Doctors Without Borders kept treating the wounded in some hospitals in Bukavu as well as in parts of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

More than 7 million people have been internally displaced in Congo due to the conflict that has been ongoing for more than 20 years, according to the Congolese president.

The M23 rebels captured Goma last month and later advanced into Bukavu.

Since Jan. 26, the conflict has resulted in over 3,000 deaths, nearly 3,000 injuries, and more than 500,000 new displacements, adding to the already 6.4 million displaced people, according to the UN.

At least 20 peacekeepers, including 14 South Africans, have been killed in clashes between the M23 rebels and Congolese forces.

Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels and sending troops into eastern Congo to assist the rebels in their recent offensive. However, Kigali has repeatedly denied these allegations.