DRC VIOLENCE FLARE-UP: 200,000 DISPLACED

The conflict in eastern DRC has burst back on the scene, uprooting 200,000 people in the latest flare-up of violence.

The M23 rebel group has been exchanging fire with local armed militias under the Wazalendo umbrella.

A Kenyan peacekeeper is among the victims. Peacekeepers - both from East Africa and the UN - have long been a sore point, with DRC’s president calling for their departure.

M23 is widely accused of being a proxy for neighbouring Rwanda. The group says the latest violence is due to DRC violating a ceasefire deal. Kinshasa denies this, though reports suggest Congolese soldiers are fighting for Wazalendo.

It jeopardises months of regional dialogue to end the insecurity in DRC, where - besides M23 - more than 100 armed groups operate.