AU rejects DRC accusation

2004-06-04 08:41

Maputo - African Union chairman Joachim Chissano, the president of Mozambique, said on Thursday there was no evidence that Rwandans were responsible for the invasion of an eastern town in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"We don't have any evidence that the Rwandans could be there," Chissano told reporters at the World Economic Forum meeting for Africa in Maputo.

Protests erupted across the DRC after dissident troops on Wednesday took over the eastern city of Bukavu, sparking fears that the huge central African country's fragile peace process was starting to unravel.

DRC President Joseph Kabila said the Bukavu takeover was "clearly an attack on our country by Rwandan troops" but the neighbouring Rwanda rejected the claims.

"We are under the impression that those occupying Bukavu may have to do with former rebels," Chissano said.

"We want to urge them (Kabila and Rwandan President Paul Kagame) to talk," he added.

- AFP