According to the government, the death toll has risen from about 50 to 272 about a week after heavy fighting in eastern Congo. The victims in North Kivu province included children who were killed in a church and in a hospital, Industry Minister Julien Paluku told reporters on Monday. Pakulu previously served as governor of the disputed eastern province bordering Uganda and Rwanda.
Last week, the Congolese army blamed M23 rebels for killing civilians in North Kivu. The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo said the rebels had also forcibly recruited civilians in the region.
Since the end of October, violence between the army and the rebel group M23 in eastern Congo has escalated again. The M23 movement consists of former Congolese army soldiers who formed a rebel group in 2012. According to the United States, about 130 different armed groups are said to be active in Congo; many of them are concerned with controlling valuable natural resources. (saw/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
