Fresh Military Tension Flares In Kisangani

KIGALI, Rwanda (PANA) - Tension is building up again in the Democratic Republic of Congo's third largest city of Kisangani, where the Ugandan army is "consolidating its positions" in violation of an accord signed in August to demilitarise the town, Rwanda's national radio reported.
It claimed that the Ugandan army had also cut off all major roads linking the city and panic was engulfing the residents.

Rwandan forces support a faction of the Rally for Congolese Democracy, led by Emile Ilunga, while Uganda backs the Bunia wing, led by Ernest Wamba Dia Wamba.

By ordering the deployment of extra forces in Kisangani, the Uganda army "is creating the conditions for the return of Wamba Dia Wamba and his faction" in his former headquarters, the radio said.

It also claimed that Uganda has moved three battalions and special units into Kisangani over the past three days.

A similar move by Ugandan forces led to fierce fighting with Rwandan troops in August in the city.

In a truce, both sides agreed to station their forces outside Kisangani.

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