M23 Rebels Forcing Displaced Congolese Back to Homes

The Congolese M23 rebels are being accused of forcing citizens back into their homes and vacate refugee they had taken in schools.

The rebels are also acccused of forcefully recruiting villagers into M23 ranks.

Local Congolese media reports that about 370 families displaced people in Rutshuru (North Kivu) claim that rebels of M23 Movement are chasing them out of schools where they had sought refuge and forcing them to return their villages.

However, its alleged that those who have returned to their villages of origin including Runyonyi, Bunagana and Jomba complain of undergoing forced labour and other forms of violence subjected upon them by the rebels.

There are claims that the displaced people who have returned to their villages because of pressure from rebels have found their homes either burnt or destroyed by bombs.

Over 1000 families had taken refuge in Rutshuru.