Over 700 killed in just five days of fighting in Congo – UN

More than 700 people have been killed and 2,800 injured in just five days since fighting escalated in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between January 26-30, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters Friday.

“The WHO (World Health Organisation) and its partners conducted an assessment with the Government between the 26th and 30th and report that 700 people have been killed and 2,800 people injured,” Dujarric said, noting that these totals are expected to rise.

“Humanitarian organisations in Goma continue to assess the impact of the crisis including the widespread looting of warehouses and the offices of aid organisations,” he added.

Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo’s North Kivu province, fell under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel coalition on Monday, the rebels told CNN. This was the latest in a string of territorial acquisitions by the group in recent weeks.

The Congolese Government, which accuses Rwanda of backing M23, has not confirmed the rebels’ takeover in Goma but acknowledged the city was under siege. On Wednesday DRC President Felix Tshisekedi vowed “a vigorous and coordinated response” against the rebel alliance that has besieged swathes of the nation’s mineral-rich east and forced hundreds of local troops to surrender. (CNN)  

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