Conflict in Congo

On a road near Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a UN vehicle passes refugees fleeing their homes due to fighting in the area Photograph: Lionel Healing/AFP

Thousands of people are forced to abandon their villages to escape fighting in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo Photograph: Lionel Healing/AFP

Fighters for the Hutu extremist militia in Congo - the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) - watch a United Nations film in the town of Kimuwa that tries to persuade them to lay down their arms and return to Rwanda Photograph: Lionel Healing/AFP

Young boys gather on a window sill to watch the film Photograph: Lionel Healing/AFP

A woman covers her face at a centre for rape victims near the town of Goma in eastern Congo. Systematic rape, often involving whole villages and towns, is a byproduct of the ongoing war in the region Photograph: Lionel Healing/AFP

People from refugee camps around Goma in eastern Congo are among those forced to flee during fighting between fighters of the main Tutsi militia leader in eastern Congo, Laurent Nkunda, and their former Congolese army allies Photograph: Lionel Healing/AFP

Child refugees along the roads of eastern Congo, trying to escape the fighting in a war whose toll from disease and hunger is estimated to run into millions Photograph: Lionel Healing/AFP

The main Tutsi militia leader in eastern Congo, Laurent Nkunda, gestures at his mountain base, in Kachanga Photograph: Lionel Healing/AFP

A fighter loyal to the main Tutsi militia commander in eastern Congo, Laurent Nkunda, holds his weapon in the town of Sake in North Kivu province Photograph: James Akena/Reuters

Rebel soldiers loyal to renegade Tutsi commander Laurent Nkunda sing and dance on a hilltop in eastern Congo Photograph: Lionel Healing/AFP

Fighters of the notorious Mai-Mai militia, another of eastern Congo's many combatant forces, guard the headquarters of their leader General Kassereka in Kisharu, 100km north of the Congolese city of Goma Photograph: Nicolas Postal/EPA