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/7011248.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Rebel breaks DR Congo ceasefire | |
(about 21 hours later) | |
There has been further fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between government forces and fighters loyal to a renegade general. | |
Gen Laurent Nkunda's force, which broke a ceasefire on Monday, has forced the army to withdraw from its positions. | |
Army commanders told the BBC that they retreated because they have strict orders from President Joseph Kabila only to defend themselves. | |
The army says the Congolese government is hoping for a peaceful solution. | |
In the past few days at least 4,000 refugees from the fighting have streamed into UNHCR camps near the eastern city of Goma. | |
The UN says the situation is "very worrying" and has called on both parties to respect the truce called this month. | |
On Monday, a DRC army spokesman Col Delphin Kahimbi told the French news agency AFP that government forces had been attacked on three fronts in North Kivu province. | |
The rebels say war has been forced on them as President Kabila has declined to negotiate with them. | |
Refugees | Refugees |
The UN refugee agency site at Bulengo saw some 4,000 people arriving in recent days, Masako Yonekawa, UNHCR head in the nearby town of Goma, told the BBC News website. | |
She said many of the refugees were fleeing from Gen Nkunda's troops, who are accused of looting and abducting children. | She said many of the refugees were fleeing from Gen Nkunda's troops, who are accused of looting and abducting children. |
Ms Yonekawa said the site, about 20km (12 miles) west of Goma, was now housing more than 10,000 people. | Ms Yonekawa said the site, about 20km (12 miles) west of Goma, was now housing more than 10,000 people. |
The UNHCR says more than 300,000 people in the area have been displaced so far this year. | The UNHCR says more than 300,000 people in the area have been displaced so far this year. |
Children, it adds, are being forcibly taken from schools to join the rebels, with 280 children reported to have been abducted from one location alone. | Children, it adds, are being forcibly taken from schools to join the rebels, with 280 children reported to have been abducted from one location alone. |
Previous version
1
Next version