There was an attack on UN peacekeepers stationed in the Rusthuru region of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident took place when North Kivu brigades were hit with rocks on August 20th in Bunugana village by rebels who wanted to prevent the UN police from entering their village.
The peacekeepers were attempting to gather information on the assault of two Congolese intelligent agents that took place last weekend. Three Indian peacekeepers and an officer from the Congolese police were wounded during the attack.
The rebels were part of a militia organized by General Nkunda, who was a former general in the Congolese army. Nkunda’s militia is responsible for attacking government positions in North Kivu. While the Congolese army and UN peacekeepers have been able to force Nkunda’s militia to withdraw in the past, there have still been numerous clashes between the militia and army.
The general instability in the region has resulted in the displacement of 10,000. Moreover, since 1999, fighting between six armed forces has resulted in the deaths of 50,000 people.
UN Refugee Agency estimates that over 10,000 Congolese crossed to Uganda’s southwestern district of Kisoro in attempts to seek refugee on August 21st. Presently, Uganda hosts about 29,000 refugees from eastern DR Congo.
For more information, please see:
AllAfrica – Congo-Kinshasa: UN Peacekeepers Caught Up in Continuing Unrest in North Kivu – 23 August 2007
BBC – Congo Refugees Return from Uganda – 23 August 2007
IRIN – DRC: Thousands Disarm and Join Reintegration Process in Ituri – 21 August 2007
