UN Staff Flee Eastern Congo as Rebels Takes Major City.
More than 1,000 UN workers and civilians escaped to Uganda Thursday after rebels forced them from Goma, eastern Congo's largest city.
The group included UN peacekeepers, aid workers, and Congo government officials. They crossed the border in a long convoy through Katuna and Kyanika checkpoints, heading for flights from Entebbe airport.
"The convoy stretched for kilometers," a Ugandan border officer at Katuna said. "UN staff, aid workers, and Congolese officials brought their families. Many looked scared and tired."
M23 rebels seized Goma days earlier, backed by Rwandan forces. The capture marks a major setback for Congo's control of its eastern region.
UN deputy mission chief Vivian van de Perre described a worsening crisis from Goma. Over 800,000 people in North and South Kivu needed help before the latest fighting began.
Britain condemned the attack. Its foreign office demanded Rwanda pull its troops from Congo, warning of "serious diplomatic consequences."
The UK statement said, "Taking Goma and forcing out UN staff breaks Congo's rights as a nation. " Officials might review British aid to Rwanda.
Ugandan troops and UN guards protect the convoy on its way to Entebbe. From there, the evacuees plan flights to Congo's capital, Kinshasa, and other safe areas.
The UN asked all sides to stop fighting and let aid workers return. The crisis threatens to spread into nearby countries as M23 rebels show growing power by challenging both Congo's government and international groups.
More than 1,000 UN workers and civilians escaped to Uganda Thursday after rebels forced them from Goma, eastern Congo's largest city.
The group included UN peacekeepers, aid workers, and Congo government officials. They crossed the border in a long convoy through Katuna and Kyanika checkpoints, heading for flights from Entebbe airport.
"The convoy stretched for kilometers," a Ugandan border officer at Katuna said. "UN staff, aid workers, and Congolese officials brought their families. Many looked scared and tired."
M23 rebels seized Goma days earlier, backed by Rwandan forces. The capture marks a major setback for Congo's control of its eastern region.
UN deputy mission chief Vivian van de Perre described a worsening crisis from Goma. Over 800,000 people in North and South Kivu needed help before the latest fighting began.
Britain condemned the attack. Its foreign office demanded Rwanda pull its troops from Congo, warning of "serious diplomatic consequences."
The UK statement said, "Taking Goma and forcing out UN staff breaks Congo's rights as a nation. " Officials might review British aid to Rwanda.
Ugandan troops and UN guards protect the convoy on its way to Entebbe. From there, the evacuees plan flights to Congo's capital, Kinshasa, and other safe areas.
The UN asked all sides to stop fighting and let aid workers return. The crisis threatens to spread into nearby countries as M23 rebels show growing power by challenging both Congo's government and international groups.
