Rukwanzi
| Rukwanzi | ||
|---|---|---|
| Waters | Albertsee | |
| Geographical location | 1 ° 12 ′ 37 " N , 30 ° 29 ′ 29" E | |
|
||
| length | 1 km | |
| width | 500 m | |
Rukwanzi is a small island in Lake Albert in Africa . It is located at the southern end of the lake near the mouth of the Semliki . The approximately 1 km long and 500 m wide island is mainly inhabited by fishermen and their families.
The territorial affiliation of the small island is disputed between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo . The border between the two states was defined during the colonial era and is unclear about Rukwanzi. Since the discovery of oil in the region in 2001, tensions between Uganda and the DR Congo have increased. In 2007 the conflict escalated when there was fighting between troops from both states near the island. In August 2007, the Congolese military occupied Rukwanzi. Many of the former 3000 residents left the island due to the unsafe conditions and a cholera epidemic .
The border dispute is still unresolved (as of April 25, 2009).
Individual evidence
- ↑ Reuters alertnet.org (English)
- ↑ allafrica.com (English)