DRC forces clash with rebels
2006-12-05 20:32
Goma - Fighting resumed on Tuesday between the Democratic Republic of Congo's army and rebel forces commanded by renegade army general Laurent Nkundu, said military and civilian officials.
Nkundu's forces captured the village of Runyoni, north-east of the Nord-Kivu region's capital Goma, on the eve of a ceremony to swear in the re-elected President Laurent Kabila in Kinshasa.
"This morning, the enemy ... managed to take Runyoni and is trying to attack Bunagana," a neighbouring village, said an officer in the regular army, who declined to be identified.
The army had received reinforcements and was holding Bunagana, he said.
More than 10 000 displaced
Meanwhile, refugees from Sake, north-west of Goma, which was the scene of heavy fighting last week, returned to the city to find their homes pillaged, said the UN's office for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs (Ocha).
"More than 10 000 displaced people from Sake have returned home. But there's nothing left there. The town has been completely pillaged," said Andrew Zadel, Ocha spokesperson in Nord-Kivu.
Witnesses said the perpetrators included dissident troops, but were for the most part members of the regular army's 11th Brigade.
Fighting since last week has caused a swelling stream of refugees, especially in direction of Rutshuru in the east of the Nord-Kivu province.
Humanitarian organisations have begun handing out aid to about 30 000 people, according to an Ocha estimate.
The situation in Rutshuru has become "very critical", said the Rutshuru administrator, Dominique Bofondo Lokefo.
- SAPA