Originally published at A Thousand News.com. Please leave any comments there.

As thousands flee a new outbreak of violence in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United States urges government and opposition forces to stand down and underlines America’s support for United Nations peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.

“The violence that has driven tens of thousands of civilians from their homes and placed their lives at risk is deplorable,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in an October 28 statement.

Forces loyal to former Congolese General Laurent Nkunda have made gains against government forces in Kibumba and appear to be preparing an assault on the city of Goma, where 22 rebel groups, including Nkunda’s, signed a January 2008 agreement to bring peace to the war-ravaged region.

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