General Laurent Nkunda

Hundreds of people have attacked the UN Congo office today. Apparently the protesters were damaging cars, and shattering the windows of the Goma-based office, in the East side of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

They were angry about the fact that they were not better protected from the attacks of the rebel forces. Over the weekend, the rebels took over an army camp at Rumangabo and Virunga National Park.

People are fleeing towards the city, as they do not want to get caught in the middle of armed confrontations between the rebel forces and the UN peacemakers.

The one leading the rebel troops is General Laurent Nkunda and they say he has threatened to take over the city of Goma as well. They have attacked it last December and many of them died, as UN forces were allowed to use helicopters in order to ensure the security of all the civilians who had sought refuge under their protective wing.

A deal was signed in January, but General Nkunda does not seem willing to respect it and he has never given up violence.

These violent attacks of the Rwandan Hutu rebels have driven 200,000 people away from their homes since August, and most of them are living in inhuman conditions.