DR Congo Conflict: Men Risk Drowning to Escape Rebel Conscription
In eastern DR Congo, men are risking their lives to escape rebel conscription, with many swimming across the perilous Rusizi River into Burundi. The M23 rebels have recently taken major cities, intensifying the crisis. Approximately 70,000 refugees have arrived in Burundi, where conditions are dire, prompting calls for humanitarian aid and support to manage this unfolding tragedy.
In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, many men are risking their lives to escape conscription by rebel groups. Jordan Bita, a 25-year-old, chose to swim across the tumultuous Rusizi River, which separates DR Congo from Burundi, rather than face forced enlistment. His perilous journey was a desperate attempt to flee the escalating conflict where M23 rebels have recently taken control of major cities including Goma and Bukavu.
After successfully crossing the river, Mr. Bita, who brought essential food for his family already in a refugee camp, described the fear of being forced to join the fighting. “I managed to flee safely… because I was crossing through the forest and moving along the bushes instead of the main road,” he revealed after reaching the Burundian bank. He emphasized the pervasive presence of M23 fighters, compelling locals to enlist against government forces.
Burundian authorities are monitoring the riverside, witnessing an influx of nearly 70,000 refugees fleeing DR Congo for safety. Despite the hardship, many, like Amani Sebakungu, confront the treacherous waters with resolve, stating, “In the river you just have to take heart and say if I die or survive so be it. God willed I crossed safely.”
The crossing is fraught with danger; at least 20 individuals have drowned attempting to swim across its 300 meters width. Tragically, Clarice Kacindi recounted losing her three-year-old child during a crossing when their raft capsized. “M23 are making our lives very difficult. They must stop this war,” she lamented, as many refugees struggle for basic survival in hastily set up camps.
The main border post at Gatumba, usually bustling, is now characterized by one-way traffic primarily from women and children as men are told to remain in Uvira to defend against the M23. Burundi has deployed over 10,000 troops to assist in countering the rebels, due to historical tensions with Rwanda, which backs M23.
Officials from the UN refugee agency express concern about the strain on Burundi due to the large number of refugees, emphasizing the need for adequate support. Magega Mwarui, an eighty-seven-year-old refugee, shared her long history of fleeing conflicts across the river, illustrating the persistent instability in the region.
Charlotte Odile, who lost her husband to the violence, seeks refuge in Burundi for her children, hoping for safety and a new start. The ongoing plight of these individuals highlights the dire circumstances they face in their quest for peace and security amid conflict in the eastern DR Congo.
The conflict in eastern DR Congo has prompted a desperate exodus of men and families fleeing rebel conscription, with many risking their lives crossing dangerous waters. As tensions escalate with the M23 rebels gaining territory, the situation poses significant challenges for the refugee population in neighboring Burundi. Concerns over safety and the need for humanitarian assistance underscore the urgency of the crisis, highlighting the long-standing issues related to ethnic tensions and cross-border conflicts in the region.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
