DR Congo: MONUC base near Rutshuru caught in heavy cross fire
A base used by UN peacekeepers at Kiwanja
two kilometres from Rutshuru and 65 kilometres to the north of Goma was
caught in heavy cross-fire between CNDP (Congrès National pour la Défense
du Peuple) and Mayi Mayi Pareco combatants on Tuesday afternoon.. Uruguyan
and Indian peacekeepers managed to rescue 12 members from a humanitarian
assessment mission in the area since Monday to identify the urgent needs
of displaced populations and vulnerable people. The humanitarian team was
evacuated to a base of peacekeepers outside the combat zone. The assessment
team left Goma on Monday morning with a first batch of medicines and water
purification facilities, both disrupted in the Rutshuru area for several
days. The town of Rutshuru has been occupied by CNDP forces for a week.
MONUC peacekeepers have stayed in the area to protect civilians and allow
humanitarian agencies access to vulnerable people.