The governor of North Kivu, Julien Paluku has dismissed reports that the insurgents have taken control of several towns in the province.
Governor Paluku told local radio Okapi that the military does not deal with unruly villages.
“They were deployed as FARDC units. And when, at some point, they consider themselves as belonging to any one group, we cannot say that they took these places. That’s the truth that I need to restore, “said Paluku.
Witnesses claimed to have seen Monday a large influx of people from Mushaki Karuba, Ruvunda, Matanda, Kingi, Kibati and Rubaya. The displaced people continue to arrive in Sake, Mugunga and Goma.
Some reportedly crossed the border into Rwanda seeking refuge. The provincial government met on Monday, in an extraordinary council to address the current situation in the territories of Masisi and Walikale.
The Local Population has been urged to remain calm “because the situation remains under control of the government troops,” said his spokeswoman, Adele Bazizane.
A crisis committee has been established to urgently develop a contingency plan, she said. This same situation is experienced in Walikale where men of Cheka took control of the localities of Luvungi, and Mpofi Kibua.
The humanitarian community, meanwhile, said they have begun discussions with provincial authorities to establish measures for meeting the needs of displaced populations.
The humanitarian concern follows the fighting between the regular army deserters loyal to General Bosco Ntaganda and FARDC. Hundreds of families in the chiefdom in the Masisi Bahunde have left their villages.
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