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Rwandan soldiers enter DR Congo Rwandan soldiers enter DR Congo
(21 minutes later)
Rwandan troops have entered eastern Democratic Republic of Congo under a pact with the Congolese government to tackle a Rwandan Hutu militia.Rwandan troops have entered eastern Democratic Republic of Congo under a pact with the Congolese government to tackle 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. FORCES AROUND GOMA CNDP: Gen Nkunda's Tutsi rebels - 6,000 fightersFDLR: Rwandan Hutus - 6-7,000Mai Mai: pro-government militia - 3,500Monuc: UN peacekeepers - 6,000 in North Kivu, including about 1,000 in Goma (17,000 nationwide)DRC army - 90,000 (nationwide) Source: UN, military experts 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.
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.
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.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.
'Unjust cause'
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.
FORCES AROUND GOMA CNDP: Gen Nkunda's Tutsi rebels - 6,000 fightersFDLR: Rwandan Hutus - 6-7,000Mai Mai: pro-government militia - 3,500Monuc: UN peacekeepers - 6,000 in North Kivu, including about 1,000 in Goma (17,000 nationwide)DRC army - 90,000 (nationwide) Source: UN, military experts
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.
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 last month.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 last month.
On and off fighting between 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.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.
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.