Congolese soldiers flee into Uganda
- 12 years ago
More than 600 Congolese government soldiers cross the border into Uganda after rebels seize the eastern border town of Bunagana.
The move follows days of fierce fighting between rebels and government troops which left a UN peacekeeper dead and thousands displaced.
But the commander of the fleeing group says the withdrawal was tactical and his troops were just regrouping.
Ugandan army officials, who disarmed the troops, are now awaiting further instructions on what to do with them.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) WESTERN COMMANDER, UGANDA PEOPLES DEFENCE FORCE (UPDF), PETER ELWELU, SAYING:
"We have welcomed them, we are planning to see how to help them and also we are talking to Kampala to make sure that proper procedures are done to get them back to their country."
Congo's North Kivo province has been hit by violence since March after hundreds of ex-rebels defected from the army in support of rebellious general Bosco Ntaganda.
The resurgence of fighting has sparked fears of another civil war and displaced more than 200,000 people since April, according to UN estimates.
Sunita Rappai Reuters
The move follows days of fierce fighting between rebels and government troops which left a UN peacekeeper dead and thousands displaced.
But the commander of the fleeing group says the withdrawal was tactical and his troops were just regrouping.
Ugandan army officials, who disarmed the troops, are now awaiting further instructions on what to do with them.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) WESTERN COMMANDER, UGANDA PEOPLES DEFENCE FORCE (UPDF), PETER ELWELU, SAYING:
"We have welcomed them, we are planning to see how to help them and also we are talking to Kampala to make sure that proper procedures are done to get them back to their country."
Congo's North Kivo province has been hit by violence since March after hundreds of ex-rebels defected from the army in support of rebellious general Bosco Ntaganda.
The resurgence of fighting has sparked fears of another civil war and displaced more than 200,000 people since April, according to UN estimates.
Sunita Rappai Reuters