This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7664954.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
New rebels attack DR Congo town | New rebels attack DR Congo town |
(10 minutes later) | |
A new rebel group is threatening the key town of Bunia in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. | A new rebel group is threatening the key town of Bunia in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. |
Firing on the outskirts of the town led to a stampede as local people left and shut shops hurriedly, according to the BBC's Thomas Fessy, in Kinshasa. | |
Bunia is the capital of Ituri province and an important base for United Nations peacekeepers. | Bunia is the capital of Ituri province and an important base for United Nations peacekeepers. |
It was also the scene of bloody fighting before a 2006 ceasefire led to a peace deal. | It was also the scene of bloody fighting before a 2006 ceasefire led to a peace deal. |
The new rebel coalition, the Popular Front for Justice in Congo - known by its French acronym, FPJC, had earlier taken a village close to Bunia, killing soldiers and sending thousands fleeing for their lives into the bush. | The new rebel coalition, the Popular Front for Justice in Congo - known by its French acronym, FPJC, had earlier taken a village close to Bunia, killing soldiers and sending thousands fleeing for their lives into the bush. |
Mayhem broke out in Bunia on Friday after government troops clashed with the rebels less than 10km (6 miles) south of the town. | Mayhem broke out in Bunia on Friday after government troops clashed with the rebels less than 10km (6 miles) south of the town. |
Local people, hearing the firing and fearful that fighting could erupt in the town centre, fled from the main market. | Local people, hearing the firing and fearful that fighting could erupt in the town centre, fled from the main market. |
All the shops shut down and children were told to leave their schools and go home, our correspondent says. | All the shops shut down and children were told to leave their schools and go home, our correspondent says. |
New rebel coalition | New rebel coalition |
United Nations troops reinforced their positions on the outskirts of the town and as night fell the situation calmed down and stability returned. | United Nations troops reinforced their positions on the outskirts of the town and as night fell the situation calmed down and stability returned. |
The area around Bunia suffered almost a decade of war, which ended with a peace deal in 2006. | The area around Bunia suffered almost a decade of war, which ended with a peace deal in 2006. |
But the rebels say they represent a new coalition, formed to force the implementation of that deal, which included an amnesty for all those who participated in the previous fighting. | But the rebels say they represent a new coalition, formed to force the implementation of that deal, which included an amnesty for all those who participated in the previous fighting. |
Tension in the region has been growing over the past two weeks, with fighting between Congolese troops and the rebels moving closer to Bunia. | Tension in the region has been growing over the past two weeks, with fighting between Congolese troops and the rebels moving closer to Bunia. |
Previous version
1
Next version