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DR Congo M23 rebels enter Goma city | 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. | 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. | 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. |
The M23 rebels say they have captured the city, but this has not been confirmed. | |
Tens of thousands of people have fled recent fighting, which has led to fears of a resumption of the DR Congo war. | |
This is the first time since the war officially ended in 2003 that rebels have entered Goma, which has a population of about 400,000. | |
Talks rejected | Talks rejected |
Some five million people died in the war, which dragged in neighbouring states - including Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola. | |
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. | |
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, and watched as about a dozen rebels marched past their armoured vehicles, our reporter adds. | |
He says the rebels have gone through Goma and have reached the border with Rwanda. | |
"The town of Goma fell at 11:33 local time [08.33GMT], despite the attack helicopters, despite the heavy weapons, the FARDC [Congolese army] has let the town fall into our hands," M23 spokesman Colonel Vianney Kazarama told Reuters news agency. | |
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. |