After a US ultimatum expires, displaced people in Uvira are losing hope as the situation remains unchanged.
July 15 marked the expiration of the US ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). But on the ground, no significant changes have been observed. Fighting continues across parts of South Kivu, while thousands of displaced people who had hoped for a quick return to their villages have once again been left disappointed.
In Uvira, where families displaced by fighting in the territories of Fizi, Mwenga, and the High and Mid Plateaus have sought refuge, the expiration of the ultimatum has been met with deep frustration. Displaced residents say the deadline has brought neither improved security nor any concrete prospect of returning home.
"As a displaced person, when I heard that Rwanda was going to withdraw its forces from the DRC, I was truly happy. But when we saw that the withdrawal had not happened, we became worried again, fearing more violence, especially rape," said Furaha Nyota, who fled Katogota.
Like many others, she had hoped that diplomatic pressure from Washington would help de-escalate the conflict. Instead, continued fighting has dashed those expectations.
