Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More. GOMA, Congo AP β Rebels backed by Rwanda captured more towns in eastern Congo on Wednesday as they moved beyond the key city of Goma in an apparent attempt to expand their control in the conflict-battered region.
The rebels advanced toward the center of South Kivu province after taking several towns, including Kalungu, Kanyezire and Mukwinja, according to a local civil society leader and an aid worker in the area. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. The advance also raised fears of a prolonged occupation by the rebels, who have said they plan to set up a new administration in Goma, a city of 2 million people.
Unlike now, the rebels captured Goma only briefly during their first rebellion in , withdrawing after a few days under international pressure on Rwanda. Tshisekedi was on an official visit to Angola, which had mediated a ceasefire between Congo and Rwanda last year, the Angolan presidency said in a statement. Faced with the rebel offensive, soldiers fighting for Congo β many of them mercenaries from other nations β were laying down their weapons at the border with Rwanda.
A rebel spokesman said nearly mercenaries have surrendered their arms and returned to their countries. Ngoma, who is on the U. Fighting reignited this week, and the rebels backed by Rwanda, known as M23, announced Monday that they had captured much of the provincial capital of Goma. Rwandan border patrol agents searched the belongings of those crossing the border in waves, with suitcases and children in tow.
The displaced, looking exhausted but relieved, were then taken care of by the Rwandan Red Cross. Meanwhile, rebels took control of Goma's airport, said Dujarric, the U. Other parts of the city were calm, with less fighting, a day after thousands of fleeing people hunkered down by roadsides as missiles flew overhead, and injured streamed into overwhelmed hospitals. Tshisekedi was due to address the country later on Wednesday in first public remarks since rebels took Goma.
