Congo protests: Five die in big anti-UN demonstrations

At least five people have died during protests against a UN peacekeeping force in Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Local media have reported that they were shot by the peacekeepers.

The UN mission, known as Monusco, has not responded to these reports.

There has been a recent upsurge in violence in the area. Locals accuse the UN of being ineffective as the region remains volatile with more than 100 active rebel groups.

This was the second day of protests with people calling for the UN to withdraw its peacekeepers from the area.

On Monday, the demonstrations, called by the government's youth wing, turned violent when protesters stormed the UN mission's local headquarters and a logistical base.

Then on Tuesday the protests intensified.

One of the graphic images shared on social media showed someone lying still on the ground, while others shouted that he had been shot dead by the UN forces.

The AFP news agency is quoting local police as saying that seven civilians died along with three UN peacekeepers.

"We don't have anything to say now, we are in bad times," Monusco spokesperson Khady Lo Ndeye told the BBC when asked about the reports of casualties.

There have been protests against the UN over the years in Goma and other towns in the east of the country, but not on this scale or level of violence.

A UN peacekeeping force has been in the country for more than two decades. Monusco took over from a previous UN mission in 2010.

But critics point out that in that time rebel activity has not ended and people in the region continue to live in a state of insecurity.

Monusco currently has almost 18,000 personnel in the country, including more than 12,000 soldiers. It is preparing to draw down - though no date has been set.

There has been an uptick in the conflict there involving several armed groups including the M23 movement and the Allied Democratic Forces.

DR Congo accuses neighbouring Rwanda of supporting the M23, which Rwanda denies. Three weeks ago, the countries' two leaders agreed on a "de-escalation process" in eastern DR Congo.

The government said it has asked the army and police to restore calm in Goma.