Tens of thousands have fled eastern DR Congo into neighbouring Burundi since M23 launched its new offensive. Desperate to escape the advancing Rwandan-backed forces, many are risking their lives to cross the border more quickly – by swimming across the Rusizi river separating the two nations. It’s already reportedly led to some 20 deaths by drowning in a two-week period. Some of those who made it across say that the M23 was forcibly conscripting people.
The three-decade proxy mineral war in Congo has been described as one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II, with over 6-million deaths reported by 2010. Since January, more than 7,000 people have died as M23 seized the major cities of Goma and Bukavu.
Video credit: BBC News Africa