Five Rwandans killed, 35 injured following bomb shelling from DRC: Army
At least five people were killed and 35 others injured in western Rwanda by bombshells fired from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Monday, authorities said.
Rwanda Defense Force spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga told Rwanda Broadcasting Agency that several rockets were fired into Rwanda’s Rubavu border district by the Congolese army and elements of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group operating in eastern Congo sanctioned by the UN.
This came after M23 rebels, claimed takeover of Goma city, the North Kivu provincial capital earlier on Monday.
“We are taking all necessary defensive measures to ensure security along the border and ensure that our territorial integrity is protected,” Rwivanga said.
DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels, who have been battling the DRC military and gained control of territories in North Kivu province. But Kigali has consistently denied the claims.
Rwanda said Sunday it remains committed to the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict in eastern DRC.
A statement issued by the foreign ministry said the recent heavy fighting around the provincial capital Goma was triggered by constant violations of ceasefire by the Congolese army and its coalition forces.
