By JUSTIN KABUMBA and MONIKA PRONCZUK Associated Press
A bomb explosion has killed more than 30 people and wounded 20 others in eastern Congo. The blast followed a clash between the Congolese army and a pro-government militia in the town of Sange on Sunday evening. The explosion occurred despite a recent U.S.-brokered peace deal aimed at ending conflict with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Residents have fled for safety, with many heading toward Burundi. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has also accused Rwanda of violating the peace agreement. The conflict in mineral-rich eastern Congo has displaced over 7 million people, creating a significant humanitarian crisis.
By CHINEDU ASADU and JUSTIN KABUMBA Associated Press
U.S. President Donald Trump claims that the war in eastern Congo is among the ones he has stopped, after brokering a peace deal between Congo and Rwanda in June. But residents, conflict researchers and others tell The Associated Press that's not true. Trump on Monday repeated claims that he ended the decadeslong conflict, describing Congo as the "darkest, deepest" part of Africa. But a final peace deal between Congo and the rebels, facilitated by Qatar, appears to have stalled. And people on the ground say fighting has occurred even in the past 24 hours.
