International

Cross-Border Fight Between Rwanda & DRC Kills 5 Civilians

According to the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), a cross-border fighting between Rwandan and Congolese troops in Rubavu has resulted in at least five civilian deaths and 25 injuries.

RDF spokesperson Brig-Gen Ronald Rwivanga stated that several others had sustained “light injuries” from bullets and two bombs in Mbugangari, a township on the outskirts of Rubavu town.

The exchange of bombs and bullets continued across the common border on Monday, following the capture of Goma city in eastern Congo by M23 rebels.

As the situation in North Kivu worsens, people in the border region are feeling anxious and afraid.

Response From Rwanda

Rwanda has heightened security measures, with all vehicles and their occupants traveling from Rubavu subjected to thorough security checks outside Musanze. A heavy military deployment is also present along Rwanda’s borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Meanwhile, the UN mission in Congo, Monusco, has reached an agreement with the M23 to facilitate the safe passage of UN staff, government officials, including Goma municipality leaders and their families, fleeing Goma to other parts of DRC. This includes allowing boats to ferry them to Bukavu in South Kivu province.

Fighters from the Wazalendo militia, along with some Congolese and Burundian soldiers, have reportedly surrendered their weapons to Monusco and subsequently left the war zone for Bukavu and other parts of the DRC.

 Rwanda & DRC Fight
Internally displaced civilians from the camps in Munigi and Kibati, fleeing from fight between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), in Goma, on January 26, 2025. | Photo Credit: The EastAfrican

Rwanda’s local media reported that earlier on Monday, some FARDC soldiers crossed the Grand Barriere into Gisenyi and surrendered to Rwandan authorities.

The UN began evacuating its staff and their families from Goma on Monday, aiming to move 2,000 people. Buses were hired to transport the evacuees from the Rubavu side of the border, through the Grand Barriere, to Kigali, where they will board flights out of the region.

Read Also: Deadly Attack on Chad Presidential Complex Foiled, 19 Killed

Background

The entry of the M23 rebel group into Goma, capital of North Kivu, on Sunday was met with mixed reactions of fear and cheers from residents. Goma is a vital commercial hub in the Great Lakes region and is rich in resources.

The United Nations, the African Union, and the East African Community have condemned the capture of the city by the Rwanda-backed rebel group – the second such incident in 12 years – and have called for immediate de-escalation.

President William Ruto, who chairs the East African Community Heads of State Summit, is scheduled to hold an extraordinary summit on Wednesday to address the crisis.

On Monday, President Ruto stated he had communicated with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and his Congolese counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi, regarding the meeting.

“I have discussed the summit meeting for Wednesday with President Paul Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi, and both of them have confirmed their participation,” President Ruto said at State House, Nairobi.

On the M23’s entry into Goma, some remained indoors, while others emerged to greet the fighters following a night of gunfire and bombardment.

Some fleeing Congolese army personnel crossed the border into Rwanda, where they reportedly surrendered their weapons.

Rwanda has been accused of supporting the Congolese-Rwandese fighters, with numerous UN experts’ reports and Kinshasa authorities pointing the finger at Kigali. Rwandan officials have consistently denied these allegations.

Source: The EastAfrican

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