30,000 Congolese Cross Border to Flee Fighting

More than 30,000 Congolese refugees have crossed into neighboring Burundi to escape fighting in eastern Congo, an official said.

Troops loyal to renegade Col. Jules Mutebusi were fighting government forces in remote areas of Congo’s troubled South Kivu province -- more than a week after government forces retook the provincial capital from rebel commanders.

Since the government forces returned, refugees have been crossing into Burundi to escape the fighting. “We have been registering at least a thousand refugees a day,” a Burundian government official said.

Congo’s government is struggling to restore its authority nationwide after a five-year war that split the country and drew in the armies of at least five other African states.

An estimated 3.3 million people were killed during the war, most through hunger or disease.