Congo’s M23 rebels say will occupy city of Goma overnight
By Agencies
Rwandan-backed M23 rebel forces said on Sunday they would occupy Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, at 3am local time, telling government forces to lay down their arms.
“We gave the [Congolose forces] a 48-hour ultimatum to lay down their arms, the ultimatum has already passed, so we say that they can deposit their military equipment at (UN mission) MONUSCO,” Willy Ngoma, a spokesman for the rebels, told Reuters.
“We will take the city of Goma after 3am,” he said.
M23 fighters backed by several thousand Rwandan troops have been quickly advancing towards the city, which lies along Congo’s eastern border and is home to more than a million people.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, called on Sunday on Rwandan forces to withdraw from Congo and halt support for fighters advancing on the key Congolese city of Goma.
Several foreign peacekeepers have been killed in the mounting violence around Goma.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Agencies
Rwandan-backed M23 rebel forces said on Sunday they would occupy Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, at 3am local time, telling government forces to lay down their arms.
“We gave the [Congolose forces] a 48-hour ultimatum to lay down their arms, the ultimatum has already passed, so we say that they can deposit their military equipment at (UN mission) MONUSCO,” Willy Ngoma, a spokesman for the rebels, told Reuters.
“We will take the city of Goma after 3am,” he said.
M23 fighters backed by several thousand Rwandan troops have been quickly advancing towards the city, which lies along Congo’s eastern border and is home to more than a million people.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, called on Sunday on Rwandan forces to withdraw from Congo and halt support for fighters advancing on the key Congolese city of Goma.
Several foreign peacekeepers have been killed in the mounting violence around Goma.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
