Congolese refugees hit 18,000

The number of Congolese who have arrived in Rwanda now stands at 17,985, since conflict in eastern Congo began two months ago. A government official based at the Nkamira Transit Centre in Rubavu District, Western Province, where refugees are being received told The New Times the new refugees fleeing the new wave of skirmishes in their country are registered before they are relocated to the Kigeme Refugee camp in the Southern Province. “They’re coming every day, yesterday, we received 179 refugees,” Gonzague Karagire, the camp manager of Nkamira camp, said. Upon arrival at La Corniche border post, refugees are directly taken to Nkamira transit centre where they are offered food and other basic necessities. So far, 7,001 refugees have been relocated to the Kigeme camp which previously sheltered Burundian refugees, who have since gone back to their country. Those remaining at the Nkamira camp now number 11,000. The refugees are fleeing fighting between Congolese troops (FARDC) and mutinous soldiers calling themselves M23. The refugees are mostly from Masisi, Rushaki areas of DRC. However, sources indicate the refugees could be escaping from various terror groups in the country, including the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) .

National

Congolese refugees hit 18,000