Congo military accuses Rwanda of invasion as rebels capture town
- Tensions rise between Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda as Congolese rebel group seize town
- The two Central African neighbours have long accused each other of supporting various rival armed groups
Democratic Republic of Congo’s military has accused Rwanda of “no less than an invasion” after M23 rebels captured a key town.
The military vowed that Congolese forces would defend their homeland, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions between the two Central African neighbours.
The statement from General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesman for the military governor of North Kivu province, came hours after the town of Bunagana fell into the hands of the M23 on Monday.
“The Rwandan defence forces have this time decided to violate … our territorial integrity by occupying the border town of Bunagana,” the military said in a statement, adding that it constituted “no less than invasion of the Democratic Republic of Congo”.
There was no immediate reaction from the government of Rwanda, but the government there has strongly denied accusations over the years that is supports the Congolese rebel group. Many of the M23 fighters are Congolese ethnic Tutsis and Rwanda’s president is of Rwandan Tutsi descent.
In a statement Monday, a spokesman for the rebel group called on Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi to open direct negotiations with them and said they seized the town only to make it safe enough for civilians to return after they fled recent violence.