Congolese civilians flee fearing M23 advance

Civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are fleeing their homes near Goma, amid fears that the M23 rebel group are advancing.

There are reports that the Congolese army has been fighting the militia near the town of Sake.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced in recent months after the Tutsi-led rebels launched an offensive.

Ten years ago the same group was chased out of eastern DR Congo into Uganda and Rwanda.

Rwanda’s government has been accused of supporting the M23, but it denies it.

Rwanda has for many years criticised the Congolese authorities for failing to disarm Hutu rebels - some of whom were linked to the Rwandan genocide.

SA president address interrupted by protest

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2023 state of the nation address was interrupted by jeering from one opposition party leading to chaos in parliament in Cape

Town.

As he stood up to start the speech a group of MPs attempted to drown out his speech, before being asked to leave the house.

A group of MPs from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) then attempted to storm the stage, with some carrying placards, and were forced out by security guards in dramatic scenes.

Procedures were then suspended.

Rwanda-DR Congo tensions stoked amid clashes - AFP

Rwanda’s government has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of wanting to “perpetuate conflict and insecurity” and failing to stick by a peace agreement, according to the AFP news agency.

It comes amid ongoing fighting in the east of DR Congo and comments from Congolese Foreign Minister, Christophe Lutundula, that accused Kigali and the M23 rebel group of “once more failing to uphold their commitments”, to the peace deal aimed at stopping fighting in the tense region.

The UN recently confirmed the discovery of mass graves in the eastern Congolese Ituri province. It was not clear who was responsible, but many armed militias operate in the area, including M23. Mr Lutundula added that his country would “safeguard its territorial integrity” and “all means” would be used to protect itself.

DR Congo, along with some European nations and the US, accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, but Rwanda denies this.