DRC: death of a Congolese soldier in Goma at the border post with Rwanda
Congolese soldiers, in Goma, in the province of North Kivu, Monday May 10, 2021. (Illustrative image) © REUTERS - OLIVIA ACLAND
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Tension remains high between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
An incident took place on June 17, 2022 at the border between the two countries.
In the city of Goma, an exchange of fire opposed security forces at the post called "Petite Barrière".
At least one Congolese soldier was killed.
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The incident took place shortly before 9 a.m. on Friday morning at the "Little Barrier"
in Goma
, a crossing point between the two countries.
According to witnesses, a Congolese soldier, who was at the border, moved towards the Rwandan post, crossed the neutral zone which separates the two posts, while firing in the direction of Rwanda.
Opposite, a Rwandan soldier replied, killing the Congolese soldier instantly.
Still according to witnesses, an exchange of fire ensued.
The outcome is still uncertain.
A local radio reported four dead, a figure that has not yet been verified.
In a statement, Kigali confirms that two of these soldiers were injured in the exchange, as well as an unspecified number of civilians present at the border.
Kigali asserts that the Rwandan officer fired in self-defence and that the Congolese soldier was in Rwandan territory.
No reaction from Congolese officials
No reaction for the moment on the side of the Congolese authorities.
But at the end of the morning, the chiefs of the police and the Congolese army crossed the border to recover the body.
More than a hundred people tried to demonstrate in front of the border post, a gathering which was dispersed.
This incident comes as
relations between the two countries have been particularly tense
since the resurgence of the M23 rebel movement and the intensification of fighting in the region in recent weeks.
Kigali being accused of supporting this rebellion.
Moreover, an anti-Rwanda demonstration gathered several thousand people this week in Goma.
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