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November 21, 2012

M23 Rebels Capture Congolese City of Goma 
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Rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have captured the
country's largest eastern city, Goma, in their ongoing fight with
government troops. Aid groups say they have temporarily suspended
operations in several areas following violence that's caused the
displacement of thousands of people. At the United Nations, aid
officials warned the conflict between the DRC government and M23 rebels
is endangering civilians.

Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs: "OCHA and the humanitarian community working there
in the Kivu provinces in eastern Congo are extremely concerned about the
impact that the escalating fighting is having on the protection of
civilians and their displacement. We are also concerned that
humanitarian operations are increasingly difficult to carry out."

Adrian Edwards, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees: "The M23 rebel advance has prompted many people to flee
towards Goma and Rwanda, and a major IDP camp at Kanyaruchinya has been
virtually emptied. Previously there were around 60,000 people there."

 

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