Refugees in thousands crossed into Burundi from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and taken refuge in past three days amid clashes between the Congolese government forces and rebels in the eastern province of South Kivu.
A rights activist said, “Yesterday, Lake Tanganyika seemed to be completely covered by hundreds of boats of all sizes, packed with refugees and their property, it was quite sight.”
It is learned about 7,000 Congolese crossed Lake Tanganyika since Wednesday.
Congolese President Joseph Kabila said during a press meet the situation in the east is worrying as it is in the hands of rival militias.
A refugee in Burundi described the living conditions in the east of DRC is difficult as there is no food or water, and there is no toilet too.
Burundian authorities as well as the UN refugee agency have not yet commented on the situations of DRC.
Very lately the DRC government announced to wage war against two militias, the Ugandan Islamist rebels of the Allied Democratic Force (ADF) and the Yakutumba, in the east.
In North Kivu the ADF has a good hold while in South Kivu the rebel Congolese Yakutumba is active. Both the regions border Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda.
The ADF has conducted several attacks in recent past including last month’s assault on United Nations base in North Kivu killing fifteen peacekeepers from Tanzania and five Congolese soldiers.
The ADF is just one armed rebel group among several others in Congo. Other groups are based on sectarian lines or ethnic.
