Thousands of people walk on a road as they flee fighting, near Kibumba some 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Goma in eastern Congo, Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. Thousands of refugees and soldiers are fleeing fighting in eastern Congo in what appears to be a major retreat of government forces being attacked by rebels of renegade Gen. Laurent Nkunda. (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)Thousands Flee Heavy Fighting In Congo -- The Guardian
Tens of thousands of people were reported to be fleeing heavy fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo yesterday after rebels seized a key army base near the town of Goma.
At least 200,000 people have been displaced in eastern Congo in the last two months amid growing concern about a return to full-scale war. The UN, which has 17,000 peacekeepers in the country, most of them in the east, said yesterday that it had used helicopter gunships against the rebels, who have threatened to attack Goma.
It was also announced that the commander of UN peacekeepers in the country had resigned after only seven weeks in the job. Lieutenant General Vicente Diaz de Villegas of Spain "indicated that for personal reasons he will not be able to continue with his assignment", UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said.
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More News On The Fighting In The Congo
20,000 flee Congo fighting as UN peacekeepers use helicopter gunships -- The Telegraph
UN peacekeepers attack Congo rebels -- ABC News (Australia)
U.N. gunships battle rebels in east Congo -- CNN
DR Congo: Latest Fighting Leaves Civilians in Peril -- Reuters
UN chief "extremely concerned" by worsening security in DR Congo -- China View
Rebels Seize Congo Gorilla Park; Hopes Dim For Apes -- National Geographic