Looting In Eastern Congos Bukavu As M23 Rebels Reach Suburbs

Chaotic scenes unfolded in the eastern Congo city of Bukavu on Saturday after Rwanda-backed M23 rebels reached its outskirts, while a threat by Ugandas army chief to attack a Congolese town raised fears of the conflict flaring into a wider regional war.

The rebels have been pushing south towards Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, since they seized Goma, the largest city, at the end of last month.

On Saturday, the World Food Programmes depot in Bukavu, which housed 6 800 metric tons of food, was being looted, a spokesperson told Reuters.

The stolen supplies would deepen the difficulties faced by those in need, Cl au de Kalinga said, with the agencys activities already suspended for weeks due to the deteriorating security situation.

Sporadic gunfire was heard overnight and into Saturday morning, according to multiple Bukavu residents, who said the shots were fired by looters.