APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – The Rwandan Army confirmed in the wee hours of Tuesday morning shot and killed an armed Congolese soldier and arrested two more after they tried to enter Rwanda territory.
The statement issued by Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) said that at 1:10am (11:10 PM GMT), three armed DR Congo armed forces (FARDC) soldiers crossed the border into Isangano Village, located in Rukoko Cell, in Rubavu Sector, Rubavu District (North West)
The statement added that two of the DR Congo soldiers, Sgt Asman Mupenda Termite, 30, and Cpl Anyasaka Nkoi Lucien, 28, were arrested by RDF patrols supported by members of the local community.
Reports indicate that the FARDC soldiers had in their possession one AK-47 gun, four magazines with 105 rounds, one protective vest, and cannabis sachets. The third soldier was shot dead when he fired at the patrols. “No one on the Rwandan side was injured. Further investigations are ongoing,” the statement said.
In June last year another armed Congolese soldier was shot dead at the Rwanda-DR Congo border in Rubavu after he entered Rwanda and indiscriminately fired at border and security personnel on duty.
Tensions continue on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The situation escalated between the DRC and Rwanda after a rebel group, called M23, captured the DRC border town of Bunagana on Monday, June 13. Congo has accused Rwanda of backing the rebel group.
Rwanda has always refuted “the baseless accusations”.
CU/abj/APA