By Editorial,
Chaotic scenes unfolded in the eastern Congo city of Bukavu this morning after Rwanda-backed M23 rebels reached its outskirts, while a threat by Uganda’s army chief to attack a Congolese town raised fears of the conflict spreading into a wider regional war.
The rebels have been pushing south towards Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, since they seized Goma, the largest city, at the end of last month.
The World Food Programme’s depot in Bukavu, which housed 6,800 metric tons of food, was being looted, a spokesperson told Reuters news agency.
The stolen supplies would deepen the difficulties faced by those in need, Claude Kalinga said, with the agency’s activities already suspended for weeks due to the deteriorating security situation.
Corneille Nangaa, leader of a rebel alliance that includes the M23, said last evening that the rebels had entered Bukavu and would continue their operation in the city today. END.