DR Congo: Nord Kivu - More fighting between rebels and army
There has been more fighting today in the
area of Tongo (in the Rutshuru area, 50 km. north of Goma) between the
regular Congolese army and units from the CNDP rebels led by Laurent Nkunda.
Colonel Jean Paul Dietrich, the military spokesman for the UN mission in
RD Congo (MONUC) told MISNA that the fighting is taking place in the village
of Kabizo and that it started in the morning: "we do not have details
on the clashes, nor do we have a death-toll, but the fighting, which, has
been protracted for hours, involves heavy artillery" said Dietrich.
Col. Dietrich also confirmed the news related to the extent of the looting
perpetrated by the regular Congolese army: "the troops were responsible
of intimidation and violence against the civilian population, starting
last night and continuing in several areas north of Goma". The areas
of greatest activity have been the Rutshuru and especially Kanyabayonga,
Kaina and Kirumba. On account of logistical and operational reasons, yesterday,
the regular forces were ordered to back up the frontline about 40 km further
south "and several soldiers, upset by the decision, started to fire
shots in the air looting shops" said the spokesman. The violence was
also accompanied by shots "and all this has contributed to fueling
panic among the civilian population, which was already tested by the rebels'
skirmishes and the fighting of the past few weeks" said Dietrich.
Local radio stations, moreover, said that =BE of the inhabitants in the area
in question were refugees, seeking shelter in the neighboring forests,
while MONUC helicopters are already on site to try to re-establish control
over the situation in the three areas, where some NGO representatives are
based and which MONUC is trying to evacuate."