FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2012 file photo, Jean-Marie Runiga, center, then president of Congo's M23 rebel group, walks with his security guards near the Congo-Uganda border town of Bunagana. A spokesman said Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, that Runiga has been dismissed by the group's military leader over accusations that he is supporting Bosco Ntaganda, a wanted war criminal. The move has split the M23 as a new group has been formed by those who still support Runiga, including Gen. Baudoin Ngaruye, the second-ranked military leader of the group. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)
Thousands of terrified Congolese flee to Uganda
Published: 02:35:17 PM, Fri 01 March 2013 UTC
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A spokeswoman for the U.N. refugee agency in Uganda says more than 4,000 Congolese refugees crossed into Uganda Thursday night to escape renewed violence in eastern Congo.
Lucy Beck of UNHCR said Friday that the refugees were fleeing battles between armed factions of M23, a rebel group that opposes the government of Congolese President Joseph Kabila. Beck said the agency is bracing itself for a greater influx in coming weeks, although there were no reported arrivals Friday.
The refugees were stranded at the Bunagana border post and had refused to relocate to transit centers, apparently to keep monitoring for signs of peace, she said.
M23 is said to be undergoing a power struggle, with the military wing reportedly taking over authority previously held by a cleric named Jean- Marie Runiga.
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