DR Congo: Fighting erupts near Goma city

Afrik Update

News/AFRICA

DR CONGO

By BBC

                                      

Fighting has broken out in eastern Democratic Republic Congo between UN-backed government troops and M23 rebels, forcing people to flee.

A BBC reporter at the scene says he has heard heavy gunfire and shelling north of the regional capital, Goma.

Nearly 500,00 people have been displaced since April when the rebels mutinied from the army.

The UN accuses Rwanda and Uganda of backing the rebels - allegations they both deny.

The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse says the fighting - around the village of Kibumba about 30km (19 miles) north of Goma - is the most serious since July.

The government has sent reinforcements, including helicopter gunships, to the area, he says.

A column of UN peacekeepers could also be seen.

Our correspondent says it is not clear who started the most recent clashes.

But he says when he was in rebel territory on Wednesday, he saw the M23 - also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army - redeploying their forces and preparing for a fight.

People are fleeing southwards towards the government-controlled areas, carrying their belongings on their heads, our reporter says.

Some are going towards a large refugee camp at Kibai on the northern outskirts of Goma, he says.

On Tuesday, Uganda closed the Bunagana border crossing into DR Congo.

This followed a request from the DR Congo government, which said M23 was illegally raising money from people travelling between the two countries to finance its operations.

Last month, a UN panel of experts said Rwanda and Uganda were supplying M23 with weapons in what is seen as an on-going battle for control of the region, which is rich in minerals.

The UN and US imposed a travel ban and asset freeze earlier this week on the group's leader, Sultani Makenga.