Fighting between government forces and the rebel militias in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has forced 400,000 people to flee their homes since March, dpa quoted the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as saying today. "The biggest problem is the security (of the refugees)," the ICRC said in a report. Many of those who have already left their homes in the East-Kivu province are then subject to violent attacks by the armed groups. Meanwhile the army in DRCongo promised Wednesday to provide better safeguards for the protection of the civilian population during the fighting. "Anyone found guilty of improper actions will feel the full force of the law," said spokesman Captain Leon Kasonga in a signed statement. He specifically highlighted rape, looting, forced labour, theft and torture. Human Rights Watch, a global lobby group, this week accused the Congolese army of various atrocities against the civilian population, including sexual assaults.
