(Rapaport…October 15, 2002) New fighting has broken out in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Progovernment forces are battling militia loyal to neighboring Rwanda in several towns in the eastern DRC, including Uvira, Bunia and Mambasa, the United Nations (UN) Integrated Regional Information Networks report. Thousands of refugees are fleeing to Burundi because of the renewed hostilities.
The DRC was approaching peace, according to the UN, and thousands of soldiers from several neighboring countries have been pulling out of the wartorn nation, formerly known as Zaire.
The clashes “are putting at risk the ongoing peace process at a time when the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country should be leading to the conclusion of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue,” said a report issued by the UN News Centre.