Tabu Butagira
15 October 2008
Kampala — Bodies of at least 100 civilians killed in intensified fighting between the Congolese army and the Lord's Resistance Army rebels are said to be rotting in a river in north-eastern DR Congo as the number of displaced civilians hit the 50, 000 mark.
The UN Refugee agency, while quoting witnesses, yesterday said 80 children have been reported "missing" while the insurgents have gone on rampage, destroying homes and public buildings in the north-eastern Ituri Province.
"Authorities in the area (Ituri) say the bodies of some 100 civilians were reportedly dumped in a river, while 80 children are reported missing," Mr David Benthu Nthengwe, the UNHRC external relations officer in Goma, said quoting accounts by the agency field staff. "Parents fear their offprings have been forcefully recruited by the LRA rebels," he said in an official update on the Congo fighting.
The clashes that began in September have claimed many lives in a fortnight, amid reports the insurgents have gone on rampage; destroying homesteads and public buildings, including schools and markets.
Thousands of civilian, displaced by the battles, have sought refuge in schools and churches in Dungu, a township near the DRC-Sudan border, but the collapse of basic humanitarian services has made life a nightmare for the IDPs.
Last week, Congolese government officials in the provincial capital, Kisangani, provided $11,000 for emergency relief to the refugees that aid workers say are in "dire need of assistance".
UNHCR has announced it is reinforcing staff at its Ituri office, preparing to supply the refugees with blankets, high-energy biscuits and sanitary kits. "The access to IDPs and distribution of aid is hampered by lack of roads," the UN refugee agency said. Monuc, the UN peace-keeping mission in the DRC, is said to have offered a helicopter to fly aid workers for aerial assessment of the humanitarian needs in more volatile areas outside Dungu town.
The LRA rebels have been accused of attacking civilians after their leader Joseph Kony early this year refused to sign a final peace deal citing charges against him in the International Criminal Court.
Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that fresh fighting had erupted in DRC's North Kivu province, pitting Congolese government soldiers against Laurent Nkunda's rebel forces. The skirmishes, mainly in Rutshuru and Masisi localities, have ejected over 100,000 people from their homes, and forced humanitarian agencies to quit.
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How many more will die? Kony, should be brought to justice immediately. If they, Ugandian governmnet is not capable of doing this then they should look for an outside source to help in capturing this monster. The governmnet has dragged it's feet on this issue far to long. Africans should put there differences aside to help one another to hunt down and kill these enemies aganist society. I feel sick each and everytime I read about more death and distruction of innocent lives because of this monster! No peace treaty on death is fitting for him/the rest of the animals… [Read Full Text]
Bravo ‘Gatekeeper’, Bravo.