Скачать или смотреть ZAIRE: RWANDAN HUTU REFUGEES POUR INTO THE UBUNDU CAMP

(13 Mar 1997) Natural Sound

Rebel forces in Zaire say they have captured another town in the east of the country - with thousands of refugees trying to escape across the Zaire River.

The rebels - led by Laurent Kabila - claimed on Wednesday to have taken Kongolo, about 410 miles southeast of the strategic river port of Kisangani.

But speaking in the refugee camp at Ubundu the Governor of Upper Zaire claimed that rebels had not advanced towards Kisangani.

The United Nations World Food Programme brought 60 tonnes of food into a makeshift camp at Ubundu, 60 miles south of Kisangani, Wednesday.

The food is meant for an estimated 70-thousand Rwandan Hutu refugees who have poured into the Ubundu camp.

The refugees are convinced that the rebels - who are out to topple President Mobutu Sese Seko - are also after them.

Tens of thousands of refugees have crossed the Zaire river at Ubundu to the safety of the camp.

No-one knows for certain how many Rwandan refugees are still in Zaire. An estimated two-thirds of the 1.2 (m) million who originally fled in 1994 returned home late last year.

The Hutu refugees left Rwanda to escape retribution for the slaughter of half a (m) million minority Tutsis.

Many of the refugees are members of the former Rwandan Hutu army and militia implicated in the slaughter.

They have been fleeing westward ahead of the rebels since January.

Most of the refugees arriving at Ubundu were among the estimated 170-thousand who initially sought shelter at the Tingi-Tingi camp, 60 miles to the south-east.

SOUNDBITE: (French)
"We are taking a rest right here because we have been marching continuously and were looking for a refuge."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop, refugee

The refugees abandoned Tingi-Tingi camp two weeks ago as the rebels advanced.

Meanwhile, rebels trying to topple the government said they had taken Kongolo, about 410 miles southeast of the strategic river port of Kisangani, on Wednesday.

But Lombeia Bosongo, Governor of Upper Zaire said that rebels had not advanced towards Kisangani.

SOUNDBITE: (French)
"The battles take place at least 100 kilometres from here. And this is one of the axes we still control. The rumours that certain international media try to spread are not true. The rebels are not close to Kisangani."
SUPER CAPTION: Lombeia Bosongo, Governor of Upper Zaire

But with the rebels advancing, refugees continue to flee to makeshift camps seeking food and safety.

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