DRC: UN warns of humanitarian disaster in DRC

(SomaliNet) The first UN aid convoy has arrived in rebel-controlled North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people have fled the fighting, many of them are hiding in the jungle.

Despite a ceasefire between Tutsi rebels and government forces, aid organisations have warned of an impending humanitarian disaster. UNICEF says there are reports of an outbreak of cholera among the refugees.

Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda has offered to negotiate with the DRC government, but Kinshasa has refused to enter into direct talks with the former general and Tutsi leader.

Mr Nkunda has threatened to overthrow the government if it refuses to discuss his demands. The provincial capital Goma is under siege by the rebels and the authorities have implemented a night-time curfew to prevent further outbreaks of looting.

During a visit to the region at the weekend, the French and British foreign ministers called for the mandate of the UN peacekeeping forces in the area to be strengthened and urged the DRC and Rwanda to abide by the terms agreed in previous peace accords.-RNW