As conflict escalates in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), desperate individuals are risking their lives to flee from the clutches of M23 rebel fighters. Many are resorting to perilous river crossings to escape the threat of forced conscription and violence.
Men Risk Drowning to Escape Conscription by Congolese Rebels
Men Risk Drowning to Escape Conscription by Congolese Rebels
Desperate refugees flee conflict in Eastern DR Congo, risking their lives while crossing dangerous rivers to escape violent conscription by rebels.
In a bid for safety, 25-year-old Jordan Bita swam across the treacherous Rusizi River that separates the DRC from Burundi, clutching only a bag of meager possessions. The escalating conflict, with M23 advancing southwards, has led to an increase in violence and civilian displacement. Nearly 70,000 people have sought refuge in Burundi over the past month, carrying essential supplies and heart-wrenching stories of loss and struggle.
Bita, who navigated through forests to avoid detection by armed rebels, described his flight as an act of survival. Meanwhile, many others, including Amani Sebakungu, shared the sentiment of risking everything for the chance to escape conscription into the rebel ranks. The refugees’ lives now hang in the balance as they face the dual threat of drowning and being coerced into battle.
Women and children primarily make up the fleeing population, with harsh restrictions imposed on men, preventing them from crossing the border as they are expected to defend their cities against the advancing rebels. Conflicts over territory and ethnic tensions in the region compound the dangers faced by those seeking refuge.
Stories of immense loss echo through the camps, with individuals recounting how they have tragically lost loved ones during their attempts to escape. Clarice Kacindi's heartbreaking tale of losing her three-year-old child during a tumultuous crossing highlights the desperate circumstances that thousands are facing.
In the makeshift refugee camps in Rugombo, conditions are challenging, with limited food supplies leading to further desperation among the arrivals. The international community faces a significant challenge in providing humanitarian support to these displaced individuals as the conflict continues to unfold.
As the situation remains dire, the lives of many depend on effectively addressing the escalating crisis propelling civilians into treacherous escapes from a war that shows no signs of abating.
Bita, who navigated through forests to avoid detection by armed rebels, described his flight as an act of survival. Meanwhile, many others, including Amani Sebakungu, shared the sentiment of risking everything for the chance to escape conscription into the rebel ranks. The refugees’ lives now hang in the balance as they face the dual threat of drowning and being coerced into battle.
Women and children primarily make up the fleeing population, with harsh restrictions imposed on men, preventing them from crossing the border as they are expected to defend their cities against the advancing rebels. Conflicts over territory and ethnic tensions in the region compound the dangers faced by those seeking refuge.
Stories of immense loss echo through the camps, with individuals recounting how they have tragically lost loved ones during their attempts to escape. Clarice Kacindi's heartbreaking tale of losing her three-year-old child during a tumultuous crossing highlights the desperate circumstances that thousands are facing.
In the makeshift refugee camps in Rugombo, conditions are challenging, with limited food supplies leading to further desperation among the arrivals. The international community faces a significant challenge in providing humanitarian support to these displaced individuals as the conflict continues to unfold.
As the situation remains dire, the lives of many depend on effectively addressing the escalating crisis propelling civilians into treacherous escapes from a war that shows no signs of abating.
