Aid agencies scramble to assess fast changing situation in east

Humanitarian agencies in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are scrambling to evaluate rapidly changing conditions in the wake of the reported total withdrawal of the Rwandan army, and amidst widespread skirmishes that have erupted between Rwandan-backed rebels and Congolese Mayi-Mayi militias.

"The coming days are among the most important of the past four years in eastern DRC," a senior humanitarian official told IRIN on Tuesday. "We must be on top of events in order to warn of dangers or to facilitate responses."

Information provided by humanitarian agencies as at Tuesday indicated that various factions of Mayi-Mayi militias had forced the Rwandan-backed Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) to retreat in many locations in South Kivu Province, while the situation in the northern part of the southeastern province of Katanga and in Maniema in the east remained less clear.

As at Tuesday in South Kivu, the towns of Baraka, Fizi, Minembwe, Mwenga, Shabunda, Ubwari, and Walungu were reportedly under the control of various Mayi-Mayi commanders. Although Bukavu was still under the control of the rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma), nightly infiltrations of Mayi-Mayi forces have been reported. City residents have staged public protests over continuing insecurity.

In Uvira, which remained under control of RCD-Goma, Radio France Internationale reported on Monday that "relative calm" had returned, following Sunday's clashes between the Rwandan-backed forces and the Mayi-Mayi fighting for control of positions vacated by the Rwandan army. On Monday, the Kinshasa newspaper L'Observateur reported that Mayi-Mayi forces were positioned at Kabimba, 10 km from Uvira.

In Maniema Province, the city of Kindu remained under the control of RCD-Goma forces. Although the centre of town was reported to be calm, regular skirmishes with Mayi-Mayi forces on the periphery have been reported.

In the north of Katanga Province, the town of Kabalo reportedly remained under control of RCD-Goma forces, but was surrounded by Mayi-Mayi fighters. However, in the towns of Kalonge and Bunyakiri, Mayi-Mayi forces under the command of Gen Joseph Padiri Bulenda have gained control and are reported to be urging residents to resume their daily activities.

Humanitarian sources said that most of the reports regarding Mayi-Mayi behaviour toward civilian populations have thus far been positive. One humanitarian worker in South Kivu described the Congolese militiamen as "disciplined, respectful of human rights and the protection of people and their belongings". However, another humanitarian official cautioned that Mayi-Mayi militias remained an unknown quantity, and expressed concern over the need to establish good working relationships with them as soon as possible.