The M23 rebels, which Kinshasa officials accuse Kigali of backing, made new inroads in the troubled country’s eastern region, instigating the expulsion of Rwanda’s envoy from DR. Congo.
The statement was issued yesterday by the government’s spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, following a gathering of the country’s administration to review the security situation in DRC.
It has been established that United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission prompted its “troop alert level” in response to the most recent rebel fighter advance and increased support for the army.
According to Muyaya, in recent days a large arrival of elements of the Rwandan element to support the M23 terrorists, had been seen against the DRC’s military.
“Thousands of people had been forced to leave their homes as a result of “this criminal and terrorist activity,” he said.
The Defense Council, led by President Felix Tshisekedi, had made the demand that the government give Rwanda’s ambassador Vincent Karega 48 hours to leave DRC in light of his country’s continued support for the rebels.
According to local authorities and witnesses who spoke to newsmen, North Kivu’s strategic RN2 highway has been seized by M23 rebel fighters.
It has been established that just 30 kilometers (20 miles) along the RN2 from the provincial seat Goma, which connects with the north and Uganda, rebels had also been spotted at Rugari.
The mission reported that gunfire and mortar fire at Kiwanja injured four peacekeepers.
Spokesman of civil society, Jacques Niyonzima, claimed that M23 controls Kiwanja and the Rutshuru Center.
According to him, the rebels had held two meetings and instructed locals to go about their business and those who have been displaced to return to their villages, stating security was now guaranteed.
Prior to last week, there had been relative tranquility along the front line between Congolese forces and M23 insurgents.
In the vicinity of Rutshuru, the village of Ntamugenga was taken over by M23 fighters last Sunday.
Less than three miles, or four kilometers, separate it from the RN2, where the skirmishes erupted on Thursday.
According to the UN office for humanitarian affairs in the DRC, over 34,500 people fled the Rutshuru district during the week.
The group’s revival has strained regional ties in central Africa, with the DRC accusing its neighbor Rwanda of supporting the militia.
