Congo’s government on Monday accused Rwanda of incursions into North Kivu province in the east of the country, hours after Rwanda-backed M23 rebels claimed control of the provincial capital Goma.
“In light of Rwanda’s clear intentions, the government continues to work towards stopping the genocide and loss of life,” government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said in a post on Platform
He spoke of “the presence of the Rwandan military” in Goma.
Muyaya said Kinshasa urged Goma residents to stay at home and refrain from acts of vandalism and looting.
Reuters news agency, citing UN sources, said Congolese forces exchanged artillery fire with Rwandan troops across the border between the two Central African countries.
The Congolese government’s statement came hours after M23 rebels said they had captured Goma.
On Sunday, the UN Security Council ordered the group to halt its offensive in eastern Congo and “condemned the ongoing major demand for it”. [Congo’s] sovereignty and territorial integrity, while calling for withdrawal from ”external forces”.
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