Rwanda has reported that it successfully thwarted an incursion by soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) along their shared border. In the course of the operation, one Congolese soldier lost his life, and two others were taken into custody.
According to a statement issued by the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), the incident occurred as Congolese soldiers crossed into Rwandan territory near Rubavu town. During a confrontation with a Rwandan patrol, one of the soldiers was fatally shot while attempting to open fire, while the remaining two were subsequently apprehended.
Armed militiamen gather near Rutshuru, 70 kms (45 miles) north of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo,Wednesday June 22, 2022. Earlier in the week, East Africa’s leaders have responded to the threat of war between Rwanda and Congo by instructing a new regional force to deploy in eastern Congo and ordering an immediate cease-fire. A statement after the meeting in Kenya’s capital does not give details on the date of deployment of the force or its composition. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)
The RDF revealed that the captured Congolese soldiers were found in possession of an AK-47 rifle, four magazines loaded with 105 rounds of ammunition, a protective vest, and sachets containing cannabis.
Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the Congolese military, expressed unawareness of the incident when approached for comment.
This event adds to the ongoing tensions between the two neighboring nations. Kinshasa has persistently accused Kigali of supporting the M23 rebel group, primarily composed of individuals from the Tutsi ethnic group, operating in eastern Congo. The rebels launched a renewed offensive in the vicinity of Uganda last year, leading to the displacement of over one million people.
