RPA moves closer
Apr 06, 2003
Rwandan troops pushing northwards to the UPDF-controlled Ituri district, on Friday captured the Congolese town Bingi, the third since they re-entered the DRC on March 30, sources in Butembo said yesterday.
Rwandan troops pushing northwards to the UPDF-controlled Ituri district, on Friday captured the Congolese town Bingi, the third since they re-entered the DRC on March 30, sources in Butembo said yesterday.
Emmy Allio reports that the murky security now threatens to explode into border war between Uganda and Rwandan forces.
Sources said over 3,000 Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) allied to over 600 People’s Redemption Army ( PRA) were lined within a distance of 4-10km from the Uganda-Congo border.
Bishop Melchizedek Sikuli of Butembo said a battalion of Rwandan forces commanded by RCD-Goma officers pushed into Bingi early on Friday.
He said, “There is no resistance to their advance since Mbusa Nyamwisi soldiers have fled but the population is scared.â€
The Rwandan invasion has resulted in daily anti-Kigali and anti-MONUC demonstrations in Butembo, Beni, Lubero and Kanyabayonga.
In Butembo, demonstrators on Friday carried three empty coffins, for Rwandan president Paul Kagame, MONUC and Sir. Ketumile Masire, the facilitator of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue.
Kampala on Friday accused Kigali of sending troops back to Congo claiming the Rwanda army was moving towards the volatile Ituri region where Ugandan soldiers are stationed.
“About two brigades of Rwandan soldiers have taken control of Bunyantenge and Muhanga towns in Lubero zone in North Kivu province and are moving towards Beni and Butembo,†Ugandan army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza told AFP.
Uganda said Rwandan capture of towns formerly under UPDF jurisdiction was a violation of the Lusaka Peace Agreement as well as the Harare and Kampala disengagement plans.
“We are ready to deal with them if they come to the areas under our control,†Bantariza said.
“We are under obligation to protect the Ituri Pacification Commission’s work within Ituri and we can’t negate that duty,†he added.
Following the launch of the IPC, the UPDF is set to pull out on April 24.
Sources said joint PRA and RDF troops along the Uganda-Congo border were on Saturday amassed at Nyamirima, 12km across the border from Butogota and Buyonza tea estates in Bushenyi district. The forces are reportedly commanded by Capt. Baherere, Capt. Innocent Binombe and Lt.Gerari Justus. Among the PRA commanders along the border are Capt. Shaban Okiror and Major Asiimwe, a former UPDF commander in Kanungu district.
Sources said the group may be targeting Mweya Safari lodge, Katungulu bridge and Kasese.
They said another PRA force allied to RDF unit led by Lt. Bahati, was deployed 6km from the UPDF positions at Ishasha.
Sources in Kihihi said life in the border districts is normal despite PRA/RDF movements.
Sources in Butembo said Lt. Col. Luzibiza, of the 12th brigade, deputised by RCD-Goma commander Bonane leads the overall Rwandan operation in Congo.
Emmy Allio reports that the murky security now threatens to explode into border war between Uganda and Rwandan forces.
Sources said over 3,000 Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) allied to over 600 People’s Redemption Army ( PRA) were lined within a distance of 4-10km from the Uganda-Congo border.
Bishop Melchizedek Sikuli of Butembo said a battalion of Rwandan forces commanded by RCD-Goma officers pushed into Bingi early on Friday.
He said, “There is no resistance to their advance since Mbusa Nyamwisi soldiers have fled but the population is scared.â€
The Rwandan invasion has resulted in daily anti-Kigali and anti-MONUC demonstrations in Butembo, Beni, Lubero and Kanyabayonga.
In Butembo, demonstrators on Friday carried three empty coffins, for Rwandan president Paul Kagame, MONUC and Sir. Ketumile Masire, the facilitator of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue.
Kampala on Friday accused Kigali of sending troops back to Congo claiming the Rwanda army was moving towards the volatile Ituri region where Ugandan soldiers are stationed.
“About two brigades of Rwandan soldiers have taken control of Bunyantenge and Muhanga towns in Lubero zone in North Kivu province and are moving towards Beni and Butembo,†Ugandan army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza told AFP.
Uganda said Rwandan capture of towns formerly under UPDF jurisdiction was a violation of the Lusaka Peace Agreement as well as the Harare and Kampala disengagement plans.
“We are ready to deal with them if they come to the areas under our control,†Bantariza said.
“We are under obligation to protect the Ituri Pacification Commission’s work within Ituri and we can’t negate that duty,†he added.
Following the launch of the IPC, the UPDF is set to pull out on April 24.
Sources said joint PRA and RDF troops along the Uganda-Congo border were on Saturday amassed at Nyamirima, 12km across the border from Butogota and Buyonza tea estates in Bushenyi district. The forces are reportedly commanded by Capt. Baherere, Capt. Innocent Binombe and Lt.Gerari Justus. Among the PRA commanders along the border are Capt. Shaban Okiror and Major Asiimwe, a former UPDF commander in Kanungu district.
Sources said the group may be targeting Mweya Safari lodge, Katungulu bridge and Kasese.
They said another PRA force allied to RDF unit led by Lt. Bahati, was deployed 6km from the UPDF positions at Ishasha.
Sources in Kihihi said life in the border districts is normal despite PRA/RDF movements.
Sources in Butembo said Lt. Col. Luzibiza, of the 12th brigade, deputised by RCD-Goma commander Bonane leads the overall Rwandan operation in Congo.