Men take the risk of drowning to flee by rebel principle

Jordan Bita preferred to risk his life that sailed on cancer than to stay at home and be enlisted to the rebels in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A 25-year-old guy pressed against a black bag with some possessions when he used strong currents to cross the Rusie river, which forms the border between Dr. Congo and Burundi.

It was the last stage in a desperate way to escape to Burundi’s safety when the conflict in the Eastern Dr. Congo is escaped, and the M23 rebels capture Homo and Bukov over the past five weeks.

“I managed to run safely … Because I crossed the woods and moved through the bushes instead of the main road,” he said the BBC after raising the shore on the Burundi side and wiping the water from his face.

“This is because the M23 fighters are everywhere and they make us join them,” he said.

Burundian troops track the river shore in the province of Sibitik in the northwest, where Congolese families cross.

They are among almost 70,000 people who have sought asylum in recent months, as the M23 rebels – backed up by Rwanda, the neighbors of Burundi to the north – continue to move south to Dr. Congo.

At the end of January, they took a large center of Goma in Dr. Congo’s province, and in mid-February Bukov, the capital of Southern Kiva.

Mr Bit’s luggage was carefully tested by the orders of the Burundian troops – weapons are not allowed.

After that, he took the bag and carried it to his head, making her way through the steep hill to the nearest refugee camp about 12 km (seven miles) in Ruhomba.

He brings with him desperately necessary food – corn, peanuts and beans – for his family, who are already in a makeshift camp created at the city football stadium.

Another person, Amani Sabakung, looked exhausted and tried to translate when he left Russia: “You just need to take my heart in the river and say if I die or survive so.

As the BBC team interviewed Mr. Sebakung, the Burundian military ordered all of us to liberate the territory, as the M23 rebels were spotted who were walking towards the river on the other hand.

Later, looking from a nearby hill, we could see the rebels in the military fatigue who go in the singles file and preventing people on the Congolese side make the transition.

The dangers of those who escape are true.

Over the last two weeks, at least 20 people were swept away when they tried to swim 300 m (984 feet) across the river, which is at certain times a depth of 10 m.

Claris Kakindi lost a three -year -old child, crossing Russia 10 days ago.

“One of my children was lying on the raft before I spent three more near me. We had many other people on the raft, and when we reached the middle of the river, the raft crashed into two, and my baby was swept,” she said the BBC at the Rugombo football stadium.

“M23 makes our lives very difficult. They have to stop this war. Even if I wanted to go home, I will have to start from scratch. They stole everything we left behind,” she said.

Hundreds of white tents were set for asylum at the stadium when documentation of those seeking asylum is processed.

As many as 25 people share the tent, and many others sleep under the stars. The food is rationalized by only one meal a day.

Further to the south, the main border position between Dr. Congo and Burundi is also busy.

Usually it is an hour drive between the neighboring Congolese city of Uvira and the head of the Bujumbura Burundi city with the road, which was buzzing with traders and vehicles.

Now it is only one -sided movement when the fugitives coming in Burundi are mostly women and children.

Burundi Burundi representatives, which expressed anonymity, said the BBC that men were not allowed across the border, and they were told to remain in Uvira to protect the city from M23.

Burundi has more than 10,000 troops located in the D -Congo, helping the military there to fight M23.

Many of them are now in Uvira, which has more than 300,000 population.

It is located on the northern tip of Lake Tanganik and is now ready, as the M23 rebels go south of Bukov and are reportedly 70 km.

Burundi has been a natural ally of Dr. Congo for many years with his hostility with Rwanda.

Relations between Rwanda and Burundi have long been hostile, both accuse each other of trying to overthrow relevant governments.

Countries share similar language and ethnic makeup – with Tutsi and Huti communities that often fight for power – and both suffered terrible ethnic threats.

But unlike Rwanda, headed by President Tutsi, most of the house is in power in Burundi.

The Burundi government fears that if M23 secures its presence in the southern civan, accepting Uvira, it will strengthen a rebunder group called Red Tabara.

Based on the southern nod, it consists mainly of tutsis – and in the past attacks on Burundi.

“This is scary for Burundi. This is for the first time in more than 20 years when the country has received this large number of refugees,” said BBC Bridget Mukan-Anno, an official of the UN refugee affairs.

“We need to support this country in receiving refugees to improve the conditions of those who still make their way in Burundi so that there are no collisions between refugees and host communities.”

Eighty -seven -year -old Mageg Mwarui may testify to the years of unrest in the region, which are often caused by ethnic rivalries.

“I fled so many times.

“Ever since I was young before I was blind … There were times when I almost drowned during the escape with the conflict,” she said.

Charlotte Odil, who now lives in a camp near Ruhomb, created for those who were officially registered as refugees, told us that she had come to Burundi with her four children after her husband was shot by M23 rebels in the south of Kiva.

“I hope to find a house for my children and peace,” she said.

Additional Robert Kipta BBC report.