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DR Congo warning on Rwanda troops DR Congo warning on Rwanda troops
(about 2 hours later)
Inviting Rwandan soldiers into eastern Democratic Republic of Congo carries a "high risk of collateral damage", the parliamentary speaker has told the BBC.Inviting Rwandan soldiers into eastern Democratic Republic of Congo carries a "high risk of collateral damage", the parliamentary speaker has told the BBC.
Up to 4,000 Rwandan troops have poured over the border since Tuesday for a joint operation with the Congolese army against the Rwandan Hutu FDLR militia.Up to 4,000 Rwandan troops have poured over the border since Tuesday for a joint operation with the Congolese army against the Rwandan Hutu FDLR militia.
Vital Kamerhe said the push should be led by forces enjoying popular support.Vital Kamerhe said the push should be led by forces enjoying popular support.
DR Congo's ambassador to the UN, Atoki Ileka, said the operation was necessary to end the violence in North Kivu. Meanwhile the DR Congo authorities have reopened roads to aid convoys and UN peacekeeping troops in the area.
See detailed map of the area See detailed map of the area
The Congolese military shut checkpoints in North Kivu province after Rwandan troops arrived three days ago, triggering fears of a bloody conflict out of sight of the international community.
RWANDA IN DR CONGO 1994: After Rwanda genocide, Hutu rebels move over the border1997: Rwanda invades DR Congo to deter cross-border rebel raids1998: Rwanda invades again. At least four other nations 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
BBC East Africa correspondent Peter Greste says that given the reputation of all the region's armed groups for gross human rights abuses, concerns are well-founded. There have been no reports of any clashes so far.
The parliament's speaker told the BBC's Network Africa programme: "I must insist on the fact that we cannot today ask the Rwandan army to turn up on Congolese territory, especially in Kivu, without a high risk of collateral damage."The parliament's speaker told the BBC's Network Africa programme: "I must insist on the fact that we cannot today ask the Rwandan army to turn up on Congolese territory, especially in Kivu, without a high risk of collateral damage."
RWANDA IN DR CONGO 1994: After Rwanda genocide, Hutu rebels move over the border1997: Rwanda invades DR Congo to deter cross-border rebel raids1998: Rwanda invades again. At least four other nations intervene2002: Rwandan military leaves DR Congo2003: "Africa's world war" declared over2008: Congolese Tutsi rebel offensive on Hutus2009: Rwandan military enters DR Congo class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7839922.stm">Rwanda: Africa's 'Israel' class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/3075537.stm">Q&A: DR Congo conflict class="" href="/1/hi/sci/tech/7549444.stm">Diary: Protecting mountain gorillas Rwanda has twice invaded DR Congo in recent years and correspondents say many Congolese are likely to distrust their soldiers' presence on Congolese territory. Rwanda has twice invaded DR Congo in recent years and correspondents say many Congolese are likely to distrust their soldiers' presence on Congolese territory.
Mr Kamerhe pointed out that the army's joint operation with Uganda and South Sudan in the north-east of DR Congo against Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army had led to the deaths of 650 Congolese civilians. Congolese President Joseph Kabila has been criticised for not informing parliament about the invitation to Rwandan troops.
"Can't we first learn about that failure before starting another military operation?" the speaker said. DR Congo's ambassador to the UN, Atoki Ileka, said the operation, agreed last month, was necessary to end the violence in the east of the country.
Congolese President Joseph Kabila has been criticised for not informing parliament about the invitation to Rwandan troops to enter North Kivu province. It heralds an unprecedented level of co-operation between neighbours who until now have been openly hostile, our correspondent says.
DR Congo and Rwanda agreed last month to take joint action against the Hutu rebels of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). Ministers say the military offensive will last up to two weeks. Rwanda and DR Congo said they were targeting the Hutu rebels of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) in a military push scheduled to last up to two weeks.
The leaders of the FDLR, which is estimated to be more than 6,000-strong, have been linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The FDLR presence on Congolese soil lies at the heart of 15 years of conflict in the region.
Heading for Nkunda?Heading for Nkunda?
Mwami Kabutwa, a traditional chief in North Kivu, said on Thursday he feared his people would bear the brunt of the fighting. The leaders of the FDLR, which analysts say is a well-armed and experienced force more than 6,000-strong, have been linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
"When shots will be fired, civilians and the FDLR will run in the same direction," he told Radio France Internationale. The FDLR presence on Congolese soil lies at the heart of 15 years of conflict in the region.
UN peacekeepers and aid workers have complained they had been turned away at roadblocks by Congolese forces from entering North Kivu.
The FDLR have been in DR Congo for almost 15 yearsThe FDLR have been in DR Congo for almost 15 years
Action against the FDLR has been a key demand of the Congolese Tutsi rebel CNDP (National Congress for the Defence of the People), which seized swathes of territory last year but declared a ceasefire last week.Action against the FDLR has been a key demand of the Congolese Tutsi rebel CNDP (National Congress for the Defence of the People), which seized swathes of territory last year but declared a ceasefire last week.
It says the FDLR have been targeting Congolese Tutsis. It says the FDLR has been targeting Congolese Tutsis.
CNDP commanders recently announced a split from their leader, General Laurent Nkunda, and have now joined the Rwandan-Congolese force pursuing the FDLR.CNDP commanders recently announced a split from their leader, General Laurent Nkunda, and have now joined the Rwandan-Congolese force pursuing the FDLR.
AFP news agency reported on Thursday that Congolese and Rwandan troops were heading towards the stronghold of Gen Nkunda in Bunangana, about 30km (20 miles) east of Rutshuru.AFP news agency reported on Thursday that Congolese and Rwandan troops were heading towards the stronghold of Gen Nkunda in Bunangana, about 30km (20 miles) east of Rutshuru.
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.
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.
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