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| Africa Subsaharan | |
| DRC rebel group kills at least 19 people in attack on eastern town | |
| 2024-01-27 | |
| [AFRICANEWS] At least 19 people were killed when rebels attacked a town in Congo’s North Kivu province, the army said late Thursday (Jan. 25). The rebels shelled the town of Mweso, where they "indiscriminately dropped mortar bombs," which also injured 27 other civilians, army front man Lt. Col. Guillaume N’djike Kaïko said in a statement read on state television ... and if you can't believe state television who can you believe? The town's streets were empty Thursday evening, after most of its residents took refuge in the Mweso General Hospital, Kaïko added. The army blamed the attack on the M23 rebel group, which rose to prominence 10 years ago when its fighters seized Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city on the border with Rwanda. Its name refers to a March 23, 2009, peace deal, which it accuses the government of not implementing.
U.N. experts warned last year that attacks by M23 fighters have become more frequent, longer and stronger, and that territory under the group’s control "significantly increased," causing massive displacement of civilians and indiscriminate shelling. M23 combatants also "deliberately killed civilians" and attacked U.N. peacekeeping troops. Fighting in eastern Congo has been simmering for decades as more than 120 groups fight for power, land and valuable mineral resources, while others try to defend their communities. The security crisis was a key issue in Congo's recent presidential election, in which Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi was reelected with a promise to end the violence. Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of destabilizing Congo by backing the M23 rebels. U.N. experts have linked the rebels to Rwandan forces, though Rwanda denies supporting them. Related: North Kivu: 2023-12-24 Burundi: 20 dead in rebel attack North Kivu: 2023-12-24 Tension and calls for ''restraint'' after the DRC elections North Kivu: 2023-12-20 DRC: the UN prepares the early departure of the Blue Helmets Related: M23: 2024-01-17 Rwanda says it kills Congolese soldier, arrests two more M23: 2024-01-08 James Crumbley echoes wife's concerns about 3 school shooting witnesses M23: 2024-01-04 Congo declares state of emergency over devastating floods and landslides Related: Rwanda: 2024-01-24 Tensions between Burundi and Rwanda increase Rwanda: 2024-01-17 Rwanda says it kills Congolese soldier, arrests two more Rwanda: 2024-01-08 Sudanese RSF leader pledges safe passage for Abyei and South Sudan returnees | |
| Posted by:Fred |