Eastern Congo lawmakers sound alarm over 144 violent civilian deaths this month

FILE PHOTO: Congolese civilians carry their belongings after fleeing from the renewed fighting between the assailants and army troops of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, at the Bunagana border crossing point in Western Uganda November 10, 2021. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa/File Photo

KINSHASA (Reuters) - At least 144 civilians have been killed in eastern Congo this month, lawmakers from the conflict-hit provinces said on Wednesday, refusing to back extending a state of siege https://www.reuters.com/article/congo-security-idAFL8N2MO00E they said was failing its mission to end decades of instability.

Despite the lawmakers' objections, parliament on Wednesday approved the motion to extend the state of siege as it as done every two weeks.