New clashes after DR Congo truce The clashes are a set-back for the creation of a new army There has been renewed fighting near the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo town of Bukavu despite a truce declared by dissident fighters. Sources within the UN mission report that the army advanced on the renegade positions close to the airport.
A week of clashes has left at least 27 people dead. The renegade fighters were supposed to be integrated into a new national army and correspondents say these clashes cast doubts on the peace process. 'Genocide' Regional army commander Gen Mbuza Mabe had said that his troops would not make any new attacks while the United Nations peacekeeping mission continued its mediation efforts. But he said a general ceasefire could only be agreed if the dissident forces withdraw from the area. Bukavu unrest in pictures A senior government delegation is due in Bukavu, led by former rebel commander Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa. Sporadic clashes continued on Monday night despite a unilateral ceasefire declared by the dissident force. Brig Gen Laurent Nkunda said he had told his men to stop their advance to let Mr Ruberwa visit the town to investigate grievances of the ethnic Tutsi Banyamulenge group, reports the AP news agency. Gen Nkuna was leading reinforcements to back up Col Jules Mutebusi, a Banyamulenge commander who has been clashing with the army in Bukavu Col Mutebusi fought alongside Mr Ruberwa in the RCD-Goma former rebel group during the DR Congo's five-year civil war. "We were fighting because no one wanted to stop the genocide" of the Banyamulenge, Gen Nkunda said. Thousands flee Within the town itself, the peacekeepers have enforced an ultimatum banning supporters of Col Mutebusi from carrying weapons. The renegade commander has been suspended from his post in the national army because of the fighting. UN peacekeepers have been patrolling Bukavu Under a peace deal agreed last year, all the Congolese warring factions were supposed to unite as a single army but progress has been slow. The deal ended five years of war, which dragged in at least six other countries. Violence between Col Mutebusi's group and regular troops broke out last Wednesday. Thousands of people have fled into neighbouring Rwanda. On Saturday gunmen shot dead one of the UN peacekeepers who have been trying to end the fighting. The UN accused Col Mutebusi's troops of looting and raping civilians. -------------------------------------------- This service is hosted on the Infocom network http://www.infocom.co.ug
