Photo credit: AllAfrica
UNHCR said on Thursday that 35,000 Congolese nationals have now reached Burundi since the beginning of February, as Rwanda-backed M23 fighters continue to advance across both South and North Kivu.
Scoop World reports that the UN human rights office (OHCHR) in DRC also expressed concern over growing lawlessness as warlords responsible for grave crimes including rape, were reportedly sprung from prison in Goma, Kabare and Bukavu in recent days.
These former detainees are now at large and pose a threat to their former victims and judges who sentenced them, along with lawyers who represented victims of sexual violence, said Patrice Vahard, Director of the UN Joint Human Rights Office in DR Congo.
“The consequences will be huge, first for the state of law, but in particular for these women who believed in justice because they received help, but who unfortunately now risk being confronted by some of their tormentors.”
UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado told UN News that those fleeing DR Congo are entering Burundi via its northwestern border.
Meanwhile, the price of maize flour has risen by nearly 67 per cent, salt is 45 per cent more expensive than before the crisis. The cost of cooking oil has increased by up to 45 per cent.
