The clashes that have caused thousands to flee Kivu come after threats made by the government directed towards General Laurent Nkunda. The threats directed towards Nkunda were to force him to integrate his troops into the regular army. If not, Nkunda would face an offensive by government troops. He was given a deadline by Monday. The Monday deadline was ignored by General Nkunda.
It has been extended. Despite the extension of the deadline, government forces have already advanced on General Nkunda’s stronghold. So far, almost four-hundred thousand people have been displaced in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo as a result of fighting between the two groups. Many more were on the run in hopes to escape from the outbreaks of violent throughout the region.
Forces were sent by President Joseph Kabila are under orders to force the disarmament of General Nkunda’s troops. The skirmish looks to continue until General Nkunda’s forces are weak enough to be disarmed.
Government troops and local militias are reported to be working together to combat against Nkunda and his troops. So far, they are looking to cut off supplies of weapons and ammo coming from the border.
Authorities are charged and accused by medical staff for blocking medical supplies to Nkunda’s stronghold of Kichanga. The hardest hit according to medical staff would be the civilians.
Refugees have arrived in Rutshuru located in the North Kivu province early Saturday morning. The location they’ve fled from was the twon of Bunagana. The Congolese Mai Mai militias and General Nkunda’s forces were fighting it out with each other in that area.
One woman with UN peacekeeping mission said she saw many horrendous things. She added that she saw three women give birth to their newborn children while running. While most of the refugees have been guided to one location, some are being placed in a stadium while others have fled into the neighboring country of Uganda.
The reason General Nkunda refuses to reintegrate is that he believes that government forces, the Mai Mai militia, and Hutu rebels from Rwanda are collaborating against him. It should be known that the prime core Nkunda’s forces are comprised of ethnic Tutsi.
So far, the government has denied Nkunda’s claims.