Congo severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda as fighting between Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and Congolese forces intensified around Goma, resulting in the deaths of numerous peacekeepers and displacing thousands of civilians. The M23 rebels have made significant territorial gains near the Rwandan border, raising fears of the city's potential fall. While Rwanda denies supporting the rebels, Congo and international experts accuse it of backing the group, which is mainly composed of ethnic Tutsis who broke away from the Congolese army over a decade ago.
People displaced by the fighting with M23 rebels make their way to the center of Goma , Democratic Republic of the Congo on Jan. 26. Congo severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda as fighting between Rwanda -backed rebels and government forces raged around the key eastern city of Goma , leaving at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers dead and displacing thousands of civilians.
Rwanda’s government denies backing the rebels, but last year acknowledged that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to safeguard its security, pointing to a buildup of Congolese forces near the border. U.N. experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo. “For us, we took appropriate measures to evacuate our remaining diplomat in Kinshasa, who was under permanent threat by Congolese officials. And this was achieved on Friday, one day before the publication of this so-called note verbale on social media,” he said.
“We are fleeing because we saw soldiers on the border with Rwanda throwing bombs and shooting,” said Safi Shangwe, who was heading to Goma.Some of the displaced worried they will not be safe in Goma either. “I am crossing to the other side to see if we will have a place of refuge because for the moment, security in the city is not guaranteed,” Muahadi Amani, a resident of Goma, told AP..
Two South African peacekeepers were killed Friday, while a Uruguayan soldier was killed Saturday, a U.N. official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak on the matter publicly.
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