Congo army runaways loot and sow panic in North Kivu town
The Congolese army is facing mounting disarray within its ranks, with deserters firing guns and looting parts of the eastern town of Lubero after fleeing nearby clashes with advancing Rwandan-backed rebels. Residents describe chaotic scenes linked to the desertions, including bursts of gunfire and looting at the central market and in shops selling mobile phones and clothes. The unrest points to a deepening crisis within the Congolese armed forces.
- The situation highlights the vulnerability of local populations caught in the middle of these conflicts, who often bear the brunt of violence, displacement, and economic hardship.
- What role do international actors, such as the United Nations and Western governments, play in exacerbating or alleviating the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo?