Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) soldiers take their position following renewed fighting near the Congolese border with Rwanda, outside Goma in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo May 28, 2022. REUTERS FILE PHOTO
GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo 鈥� Regional authorities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo said Rwandan soldiers and artillery had supported attacks by the M23 rebel group on Sunday, accusing Rwanda of seeking to occupy the Congolese border town of Bunagana.
The violence pushed over 25,000 people to flee the area, with thousands escaping to neighbouring Uganda, the United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA said.
Congo鈥檚 accusations are part of an escalating dispute between the neighbours that has revived old animosities. Rwanda denies backing the M23 offensive.
The office of the governor of North Kivu province said Congolese forces had repelled early-morning attacks by M23, backed by Rwandan forces, near Bunagana and elsewhere.
鈥淭he goal pursued by Rwanda is to occupy Bunagana in order not only to asphyxiate the city of Goma but also to put pressure on the Congolese government,鈥� it said in a statement.
The Rwandan government could not immediately be reached for comment. It denies playing any role in M23鈥檚 recent attacks, but has echoed M23 charges that Congo is cooperating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group run by ethnic Hutus who fled Rwanda after taking part in the 1994 genocide.
On Thursday, Congo accused Rwanda of sending 500 commandos in disguise into eastern Congo.
On Friday, the countries accused each other of firing rockets across their shared border. Congo鈥檚 army said one strike killed two Congolese children.
RELATED STORIES
鈥榃e are suffering鈥�: Congo volcano spells misery for Rwanda too
Rwandans 鈥榝lee鈥� to DR Congo over COVID-19 vaccine rules
Eight drowned, 20 missing in DR Congo shipwreck
Italian envoy killed in DR Congo attack blamed on Rwandan Hutu rebels