Violence in Congo-Kinshasa

Intense fighting in Congo-Kinshasa – UN in emergency meeting

Intense fighting is ongoing between Congolese forces and the M23 rebel group on the outskirts of the city of Goma in eastern Congo-Kinshasa, reports AFP.

The situation is so urgent that the UN Security Council has decided to bring forward a meeting on the conflict to Sunday afternoon, writes TT.

On Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the conflict could lead to a full-scale regional war. At least 13 soldiers from the peacekeeping forces have been killed and several have been injured in the fighting in recent days.

The resource-rich regions of eastern Congo-Kinshasa have been characterized by violence for several decades. In recent years, the Rwanda-backed M23 has emerged as one of the most powerful armed groups in the area.

– Rwanda is determined to take Goma, says Congolese General Sylvain Ekenge, to AFP.

Congo-Kinshasa breaks off diplomatic relations with Rwanda after fighting

Congo-Kinshasa is “immediately” breaking off diplomatic relations with Rwanda, the foreign ministry in Kinshasa said, according to the AP.

The announcement comes after the rebel force M23 intensified its offensive in the eastern parts of Congo-Kinshasa and approached the city of Goma, a city of millions.

Experts from both Congo-Kinshasa and the US and the UN accuse Rwanda of supporting M23 – a rebel group that broke away from the Congolese army more than ten years ago.

According to Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungireh, the decision to break off diplomatic relations was made solely by Congo-Kinshasa.