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Rwandan soldiers enter DR Congo Rwandan soldiers enter DR Congo
(40 minutes later)
Rwandan troops have entered eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for a joint operation with the Congolese against a Rwandan Hutu militia.Rwandan troops have entered eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for a joint operation with the Congolese against a Rwandan Hutu militia.
A UN spokesman told the BBC about 2,000 Rwandan troops had crossed the border.A UN spokesman told the BBC about 2,000 Rwandan troops had crossed the border.
DR Congo and Rwanda agreed last month to take joint action against the FDLR militia, whose leaders have been linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.DR Congo and Rwanda agreed last month to take joint action against the FDLR militia, whose leaders have been linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Correspondents say the FDLR's presence in eastern DR Congo lies at the heart of the region's instability.Correspondents say the FDLR's presence in eastern DR Congo lies at the heart of the region's instability.
Rwanda twice invaded its much larger neighbour during the 1990s, saying it was pursuing the FDLR.Rwanda twice invaded its much larger neighbour during the 1990s, saying it was pursuing the FDLR.
But analysts say much of the fighting is also motivated by eastern DR Congo's rich mineral resources, which all sides have been accused of plundering.But analysts say much of the fighting is also motivated by eastern DR Congo's rich mineral resources, which all sides have been accused of plundering.
The BBC's Thomas Fessy in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, says diplomatic and UN sources fear a humanitarian disaster because of a possible lack of military planning and consultation with the international community.The BBC's Thomas Fessy in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, says diplomatic and UN sources fear a humanitarian disaster because of a possible lack of military planning and consultation with the international community.
'Unjust cause' 'Real pity'
Jean-Paul Dietrich, a spokesman for the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo, told our correspondent that Rwandan troops had entered North Kivu province near the city of Goma and were heading for the town of Rutshuru.Jean-Paul Dietrich, a spokesman for the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo, told our correspondent that Rwandan troops had entered North Kivu province near the city of Goma and were heading for the town of Rutshuru.
RWANDA IN DR CONGO 1994: After Rwanda genocide, Hutu rebels move to DR Congo (then Zaire)1997: Rwanda invades DR Congo to deter cross-border rebel raids1998: Rwanda invades again. At least four other countries intervene2002: Rwandan military leaves DR Congo2003: "Africa's world war" declared over2008:Congolese Tutsi rebel offensive on Hutus2009: Rwandan military enters DR Congo Rwanda: Africa's 'Israel'Q&A: DR Congo conflictDiary: Protecting mountain gorillas The aim of the joint operation is to defeat the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), whose rebel forces are estimated to number more than 6,000. RWANDA IN DR CONGO 1994: After Rwanda genocide, Hutu rebels move to DR Congo (then Zaire)1997: Rwanda invades DR Congo to deter cross-border rebel raids1998: Rwanda invades again. At least four other countries intervene2002: Rwandan military leaves DR Congo2003: "Africa's world war" declared over2008: Congolese Tutsi rebel offensive on Hutus2009: Rwandan military enters DR Congo Rwanda: Africa's 'Israel'Q&A: DR Congo conflictDiary: Protecting mountain gorillas The aim of the joint operation is to defeat the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), whose rebel forces are estimated to number more than 6,000.
Ignace Murwanashyaka, chairman of the FDLR, said his militia had not been involved in clashes so far but were not afraid of the joint Rwandan and Congolese operation. Action against the Hutu group is a key demand of DR Congo's Tutsi rebel CNDP (National Congress for the Defence of the People), which seized lots of territory last year.
Speaking from Germany, he told the AFP news agency that the FDLR wanted dialogue with the government and that "a coalition for an unjust cause" could not achieve its goal. It declared a ceasefire last week and promised to disarm and join the Congolese army.
Action against the Hutu group is a key demand of DR Congo's Tutsi rebel CNDP (National Congress for the Defence of the People), which declared a ceasefire earlier this month. Our reporter says it is not clear why the Rwandan troops are heading for Rutshuru, which is under the control of the CNDP.
Congolese Information Minister Lambert Mende Omalanga told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that the operation would last between 10 and 15 days.
He said the Rwandan troops would only observe the operation.
"We need their full co-operation, to have these people [FDLR], when disarmed, back home."
He also said that a disarmament operation for fighters from both the CNDP and pro-government militias had been launched in Goma on Tuesday.
FDLR spokesman Calixte Mbarushimana told the BBC that the Rwandan government should talk to them, rather than use force.
"It's a real pity that Rwanda wants to solve political problems with weapons," he said from his base in France.
On-and-off fighting involving the CNDP, FDLR, the army and pro-government militias has forced more than one million people in North Kivu to flee their homes since late 2006.On-and-off fighting involving the CNDP, FDLR, the army and pro-government militias has forced more than one million people in North Kivu to flee their homes since late 2006.
Some 250,000 people have been displaced since August 2008, when the CNDP rebels led by Gen Laurent Nkunda resumed fighting with the Congolese army.Some 250,000 people have been displaced since August 2008, when the CNDP rebels led by Gen Laurent Nkunda resumed fighting with the Congolese army.
Last Friday, commanders within the CNDP - which says it is protecting Congolese Tutsis from attack by the FDLR - announced a ceasefire.
Before last month's deal was signed, the UN accused Rwanda and DR Congo of fighting a proxy war in the region - with Rwanda backing Gen Nkunda and DR Congo of working with the FDLR.Before last month's deal was signed, the UN accused Rwanda and DR Congo of fighting a proxy war in the region - with Rwanda backing Gen Nkunda and DR Congo of working with the FDLR.
All sides have also been accused of plundering eastern DR Congo's rich mineral resources - gold, diamonds, tin and coltan, used in mobile phones.All sides have also been accused of plundering eastern DR Congo's rich mineral resources - gold, diamonds, tin and coltan, used in mobile phones.
Some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, before Tutsi rebels led by current President Paul Kagame took control of the country.Some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, before Tutsi rebels led by current President Paul Kagame took control of the country.