More than 100,000 displaced in DRC by recent fighting

Kinshasa, Jan 9 (Prensa Latina) More than 100,000 people have been displaced in the last week in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), due to the heavy fighting that continues between the army and the armed group M23.

January 9, 2025
11:24

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that between 1 and 3 January, intense fighting in Masisi territory in North Kivu province caused about 102,000 people to flee their homes in search of safe areas.

Since the beginning of the year, the M23 rebels launched an offensive that allowed them to occupy several communities in Masisi territory, including the capital city, which came under their control on 4 January.

These clashes resulted in the deaths of at least seven civilians, according to a statement by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the DRC, Bintou Keita, who condemned the armed group’s offensive and occupation of the town of Masisi.

The day before, the Congolese army recaptured this crucial enclave, but fighting persists and people continue to flee the violence.

According to OCHA, up to 30 November 2024 more than 600,000 displaced persons were registered in that territory, so this new wave is of great concern, given the precarious situation in which the refugees live.

Despite the insecurity, humanitarian actors remain active and are preparing for the resumption of their activities, Radio Okapi reported.

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