FLEEING CONGOLESE RISK DROWNING IN DESPERATE RIVER CROSSINGS

Tens of thousands have fled eastern DR Congo into neighbouring Burundi since M23 launched its new offensive. Desperate to escape the advancing Rwandan-backed forces, many are risking their lives to cross the border more quickly - by swimming across the Rusizi river separating the two nations. It’s already reportedly led to some 20 deaths by drowning in a two-week period. Some of those who made it across say that the M23 was forcibly conscripting people.

The three-decade proxy mineral war in Congo has been described as one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II, with over 6-million deaths reported by 2010. Since January, more than 7,000 people have died as M23 seized the major cities of Goma and Bukavu.

Video credit: BBC News Africa