Thousands Flee Across Congo's Borders After Violence in East Rages
- Congolese arrive in neighboring Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi
- Refugees report forced recruitment, militia abuses, UN says
Congolese people wait to be registered as refugees at the Nyakabande transit centre in western Uganda, on Jan. 24, 2018.
Photographer: Sumy Sadurni/AFP/Getty Images
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A surge of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is driving thousands of refugees into neighboring Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda, the United Nations said.
A Congolese military offensive against armed groups in South Kivu province caused 7,000 people to flee for Burundi and 1,200 for Tanzania since last week, mainly by crossing Lake Tanganyika on small fishing boats, UN Refugee Agency spokesman Babar Baloch said Tuesday in Geneva. They “fled forced recruitment, direct violence and other abuses by armed groups” or “in anticipation of military operations,” he said.