This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20405739
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
DR Congo M23 rebels enter Goma city | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Rebel fighters have entered central Goma, the main city in resource-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. | |
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Goma says he saw them exchange some small arms fire with the Congolese army but they otherwise met little resistance. | |
UN peacekeepers have denied rebel claims to control the airport. | |
Tens of thousands of people have fled recent fighting, which has led to fears of a resumption of the DR Congo war, in which some five million people died. | Tens of thousands of people have fled recent fighting, which has led to fears of a resumption of the DR Congo war, in which some five million people died. |
This is the first time since the official end of the war in 2003 that rebels have entered Goma, which has a population of about 500,000. | This is the first time since the official end of the war in 2003 that rebels have entered Goma, which has a population of about 500,000. |
Neighbouring Rwanda has denied persistent accusations that it backs the M23 rebels. | |
On Monday, it accused the Congolese army of deliberately firing across the border onto its territory. | On Monday, it accused the Congolese army of deliberately firing across the border onto its territory. |
Talks rejected | |
The commander of United Nations peacekeepers in DR Congo, Lt-Gen Chandar Prakash, said the rebels had tried to attack his forces at the airport, but had been repelled. | The commander of United Nations peacekeepers in DR Congo, Lt-Gen Chandar Prakash, said the rebels had tried to attack his forces at the airport, but had been repelled. |
Some rebels had used the cover of civilian houses to bypass the UN base there and enter the town, he said. | Some rebels had used the cover of civilian houses to bypass the UN base there and enter the town, he said. |
Our correspondent says he understands that government forces are no longer at Goma's airport, but UN forces are still there. | Our correspondent says he understands that government forces are no longer at Goma's airport, but UN forces are still there. |
The UN force has not tried to resist the rebel advance, which has now reached the border with Rwanda, he says. | |
On Monday, the government rejected a 24-hour ultimatum by M23 to withdraw its forces from Goma and enter into peace talks. | On Monday, the government rejected a 24-hour ultimatum by M23 to withdraw its forces from Goma and enter into peace talks. |
It said it would defend the city and it would only hold talks with Rwanda, saying it controls the rebels. The UN also says Rwanda is backing the M23. | It said it would defend the city and it would only hold talks with Rwanda, saying it controls the rebels. The UN also says Rwanda is backing the M23. |
On Monday, Rwandan General Joseph Nzabamwita told the AFP news agency that DR Congo had used T55 tanks and mortar bombs to fire into its territory. | On Monday, Rwandan General Joseph Nzabamwita told the AFP news agency that DR Congo had used T55 tanks and mortar bombs to fire into its territory. |
Rwanda's army did not respond to the fire, he said. | Rwanda's army did not respond to the fire, he said. |
Various rebels groups have been active in mineral-rich eastern DR Congo since the end of the war in 2003. | Various rebels groups have been active in mineral-rich eastern DR Congo since the end of the war in 2003. |
The latest conflict broke out after a mutiny in the army in April, when a group of former rebels formed the M23, also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army. | The latest conflict broke out after a mutiny in the army in April, when a group of former rebels formed the M23, also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army. |
About 500,000 people have fled the fighting since then. | About 500,000 people have fled the fighting since then. |
The M23 is largely made up of ethnic Tutsis, the same group which dominates the government in Rwanda. | The M23 is largely made up of ethnic Tutsis, the same group which dominates the government in Rwanda. |
Are you in DR Congo? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you in DR Congo? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |