Clashes in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo sent at least 5,000 refugees fleeing into neighbouring Uganda as the African Union called today for African troops to help disarm fighters there.
The United Nations mission in Congo said traditional Mai Mai warriors and former RCD-Goma rebels - both meant to be part of Congo's post-war new army - clashed yesterday in Ishasha, a town on the border with Uganda.
Tribal militias also fought each other last week further north, near Bunia, highlighting the challenge in establishing order across Africa's third largest country where swathes of land are under the control of a plethora of armed groups.
The 53-member African Union (AU) today urged firm action to disarm fighters in Congo, including Hutu militia who fled there after taking part in Rwanda's 1994 genocide.
"The Council urges AU member states to extend the necessary security assistance, including troops, to contribute to the effective disarmament and neutralisation of the armed groups," the AU's Peace and Security Council said in a statement after a summit this week in Gabon.
The Ugandan army said between 5,000 and 6,000 refugees, some with bullet wounds, had crossed from Congo.
UN spokeswoman Ms Jacqueline Chenard said a local Mai Mai leader known as "Jackson" attacked and looted Ishasha in the early hours of Wednesday and that local authorities said three (RCD-Goma) soldiers were killed and four were wounded.
Another UN spokesman in Ituri province's capital of Bunia, said tribal Hema and Lendu militias had clashed in the region on December 30th and then again on January 4th-5th.
The UN confirmed two deaths although there were reports of up to 60 killed.
Most of the refugees who fled to Uganda were camping near Lake Albert, which straddles the border between the two countries, and - on the Congolese side - is near Bunia.