Rwandan troops conflict with DRC police in Lake Kivu: Congolese sources

Bukavu, DR Congo

A conflict between Rwandan troopers and DR Congo police on a small island in Lake Kivu sparked panic amid ongoing tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa, Congolese sources stated on Sunday.

Police stationed on the island of Ibindja in jap Congo, on the southern facet of the lake shared by the neighbors’ border, challenged three boats carrying armed Rwandan troops as they approached their base on Saturday, a DRC navy supply founded inside the area stated. anonymity.

According to the supply, a DRC police officer went to problem the troopers about why they have been on the Congolese facet of the border.

After an argument, “voices and gunfire” have been raised, sparking panic amongst locals inside earshot of Chivumu village.

Several households fled the island and took refuge simply throughout the water at Birava, neighborhood civil society consultant Jackson Kalimba stated.

Naval sources stated the Rwandan troops returned to base with out disembarking on the island and Archimede Karhebwa, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s neighborhood deputy administrator, stated the scenario was beneath manipulate on Sunday.

He stated a police officer had suffered a gunshot wound, including that the neighborhood marine regiment was on standby pending army excessive command taking “measures to strengthen surveillance of Lake Kivu”.

Rwandan authorities contacted by AFP had not commented on the spat on Sunday afternoon.

Relations between the neighbors have been tense because of the latest resurgence of the Tutsi-led M23 insurgent group.

The group has vowed to withdraw from captured territories after months of advancing on Goma, capital of the DRC province of North Kivu on the northern conclusion of the lake and additionally bordering Rwanda.

Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting the rebels, which Rwanda denies.