Fighting resumed Monday in Rutshuru, North Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, between the Congolese army and M23 rebels following a week of relative calm.
Both the government forces and M23 have accused each other of the attacks on Monday.
“We woke up under enemy fire, and we retaliated in the same way. Now we intend to go all the way,” said FARDC.
M23 Spokesperson, self-proclaimed Maj. Willy Ngoma said ” FARDC and allies attacked our positions early on Monday.”
But M23 also accused UN peacekeepers of taking sides in the fighting despite the UN Security Council (UNSC) directive that they only protect civilians.
“With the intention of undermining the Nairobi talk recommended by the UN Security Council, the FARDC and its allies launched their offensive against M23 positions at 5 am this morning [June 6]. The participation of Monusco [the UN mission in the DRC] in the fighting contradicts the UN Security Council,” said Bertrand Bisimwa, chairperson of M23.
