"More than 413 civilians [have been] killed by bullets, grenades, and bombs, including many women, children, and young people in localities between Uvira and Bukavu, the regional capital, the South Kivu government spokesperson said in a statement late on Wednesday. According to the information gathered, the forces present in the city are composed of Rwandan special forces and some of their foreign mercenaries, operating in clear violation of the ceasefire as well as the Washington and Doha agreements, in total disregard of the commitments made, the statement added."
"M23's latest offensive, which has displaced some 200,000 civilians, comes despite a United States-mediated peace agreement signed last week by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Washington, DC, which is now under severe threat of unravelling. The accord did not include M23, which is negotiating separately with the DRC after agreeing earlier this year to a ceasefire that both sides accuse the other of violating."
"M23 said it had taken control of the strategic city of Uvira on Wednesday afternoon, following a rapid offensive since the start of the month. Sporadic gunfire echoed on Uvira's outskirts on Thursday morning, according to the Reuters news agency. For months, the town had served as the base of the Kinshasa-appointed provincial government after rebels captured Bukavu in February."
Rwanda-backed M23 consolidated control over the strategic town of Uvira after a rapid offensive, with sporadic gunfire continuing on the outskirts. More than 413 civilians have been killed by bullets, grenades, and bombs, including many women, children, and young people in localities between Uvira and Bukavu. The offensive has displaced some 200,000 civilians. Regional officials and the South Kivu government report forces in the city include Rwandan special forces and foreign mercenaries, representing a violation of ceasefires and the Washington and Doha agreements. A US-mediated agreement between DRC and Rwanda is under severe threat as the offensive continues.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]