PEACE talks must begin
again urgently in the Democratic Republic of Congo, charities have
said, after renewed fighting has forced more civilians to flee
their homes, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. It
is estimated that 5000 people have fled into Goma.
The latest clashes
between the M23 rebels and government troops in Goma came after
peace talks between the two sides stalled.
The UN has increased its
force in the region with a 3000-strong intervention brigade.
Tearfund's representative
in the region, Cedric Perus, said: "The population in North Kivu
deserve a chance of peace after years of conflict. Talks between
the government and the M23 group mustn't be allowed to fail
innocent civilians - rural communities, and vulnerable women and
their children."
He called for prayer for
the peace talks, and for the Congolese people.
Last week, 70,000
refugees fled into Uganda as a result of violent clashes (News,
19 July).
Christian Aid's
humanitarian director, Nick Guttmann, has just returned from
visiting the area around Goma. He said that the situation was
"extremely volatile".
"People keep being
displaced and returning home, and every time they get . . . less
able to cope with conflict. . . We are working with people who have
been displaced, most of who are living in safer areas with
families, and distributing food and non-food items . . . to help
families and the people they are living with. But much more is
needed."
The only solution to ease
the humanitarian crisis would be a peace deal, he said.