80 000 flee bombing around Brazzaville

BRAZZAVILLE: More than 80 000 people have fled their homes in Pool province surrounding the Congo Republic’s capital since the government began a military operation there last year, according to the UN and Congolese government.

The campaign, involving occasional aerial bombardments, aims to curb what the government says is a resurgent rebellion led by Pastor Ntumi, an enemy of President Denis Sassou Nguesso from the oil-rich country’s 1997 civil war.

While it has been hard to confirm death tolls and the impact on residents, any clear evidence of escalating violence could be damaging to Sassou Nguesso’s ruling party, the Congolese Party of Labour, ahead of legislative elections next month.

The UN is seeking around $20 million (R258m) in emergency funding to provide humanitarian assistance in the province, after a recent visit found widespread signs of malnutrition. Many of the displaced remain beyond the reach of aid workers.

“In non-accessible zones... there is reason to fear an even more complicated situation as the number of (displaced people) continues to increase and living conditions worsen more every day,” said the UN.