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Rwandans kill DR Congo soldier | Rwandans kill DR Congo soldier |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Rwanda has accused soldiers from Democratic Republic of Congo of "provocation" after a group crossed the border, leading to clashes along the volatile area. | Rwanda has accused soldiers from Democratic Republic of Congo of "provocation" after a group crossed the border, leading to clashes along the volatile area. |
One of the Congolese soldiers was shot dead, while a Rwandan was wounded in the exchange of fire, a Rwandan military spokesman said. | One of the Congolese soldiers was shot dead, while a Rwandan was wounded in the exchange of fire, a Rwandan military spokesman said. |
A Congolese spokesman said the clash came after the Congolese soldiers crossed the border to buy beer. | A Congolese spokesman said the clash came after the Congolese soldiers crossed the border to buy beer. |
Rwanda denies backing DR Congo rebels. | Rwanda denies backing DR Congo rebels. |
But some donors have cut aid to Rwanda over UN allegations that it gives weapons and funds to the M23 rebels. | |
Some 500,000 people have fled their homes in eastern DR Congo since April, when the M23 group took up arms. | Some 500,000 people have fled their homes in eastern DR Congo since April, when the M23 group took up arms. |
The BBC's Jean-Claude Mwambutsa in Rwanda says this is the first direct clash between the two countries' armies since 2001. | |
He says with the international spotlight on both Kigali and Kinshasa, it is unlikely that this incident will lead to a new war. | |
Rwandan military spokesman Brig Gen Joseph Nzabamwita said soldiers from DR Congo's armed forces (FARDC) had crossed the border on a reconnaissance mission, reports Reuters news agency. | Rwandan military spokesman Brig Gen Joseph Nzabamwita said soldiers from DR Congo's armed forces (FARDC) had crossed the border on a reconnaissance mission, reports Reuters news agency. |
"This is a provocative act of the FARDC. They want to draw Rwanda into their internal problems but Rwanda has always said we will not escalate the problem," he said. | "This is a provocative act of the FARDC. They want to draw Rwanda into their internal problems but Rwanda has always said we will not escalate the problem," he said. |
Congolese army spokesman Col Olivier Hamuli said a Rwandan soldier had also been killed but this was denied by Brig Gen Nzabamwita, reports the AFP news agency. | Congolese army spokesman Col Olivier Hamuli said a Rwandan soldier had also been killed but this was denied by Brig Gen Nzabamwita, reports the AFP news agency. |
The clash is said to have occurred near Kibumba, 13km (8 miles) north of the Congolese city of Goma. | The clash is said to have occurred near Kibumba, 13km (8 miles) north of the Congolese city of Goma. |
Rwanda is widely seen as having backed armed groups in eastern DR Congo as a way of tackling Hutu fighters who fled there after the 1994 genocide. | Rwanda is widely seen as having backed armed groups in eastern DR Congo as a way of tackling Hutu fighters who fled there after the 1994 genocide. |
Both Rwanda and the M23 rebels, now known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army, are led by ethnic Tutsis. | Both Rwanda and the M23 rebels, now known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army, are led by ethnic Tutsis. |
Rwanda twice invaded its much larger neighbour during the 1990s, when it was accused of looting eastern DR Congo's rich mineral resources. |
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