Yellow fever is sweeping through the thousands of Congolese expelled from Angola, a local official says.

At least 10 people have already died, says the mayor of Lutembo in south-west Democratic Republic of Congo.

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More than 20,000 Congolese diamond miners have been expelled from Angola in recent weeks. The UN is trying to reach the remote region by helicopter.

Previous mass expulsions in the area were halted by an agreement between the two countries but with Angola preparing for elections later this year, correspondents say the authorities are keen to rid the area of foreigners.

Last year, the two countries resolved their border dispute.

They have both experienced years of war, which correspondents say has led to confusion over their common boundary.

The area is rich in oil and diamonds.

(BBC)

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