M23 rebels who sought refuge in Rwanda after they were defeated by Congolese and UN forces in 2013. FILE PHOTO | AFP
By REUTERS
In Summary
Two military helicopters crashed in a strife-torn part of
eastern Democratic Republic of Congo with at least four crew members on
board, authorities said on Monday.
Government spokesman Lambert Mende told Reuters it was not clear
what brought down the helicopters on Friday in North Kivu province near
the borders with Rwanda and Uganda.
Over the weekend, UN-sponsored Radio Okapi cited military
sources as saying that the helicopters crashed while pursuing fighters
from the former Congolese rebel group M23. An army spokesman declined to
comment.
The M23 was the largest of dozens of armed groups in the country
and controlled huge swaths of eastern Congo in 2012 and 2013 before it
was defeated by Congolese and UN forces.
Reports of a possible M23 revival by former fighters held in
camps in Uganda and Rwanda have surged in recent weeks. On Monday,
Rwanda's defence ministry said in a statement that a group of about 30
unarmed people claiming to be M23 and fleeing combat with Congo's army
crossed the border at the weekend.
Mende said he had not yet seen the statement.
Earlier this month, Uganda's government said it had detained
more than 100 former M23 rebels trying to return to Congo from camps in
Uganda where they have been awaiting amnesties. Congo said the fighters
had encroached onto Congolese territory.
Radio Okapi also reported that five crew members - three
Russians and two Congolese officers - were rescued and brought to
hospital. Mende said he could not confirm that information.
Millions died in regional conflicts in eastern Congo
between 1996-2003, most from hunger and disease, and dozens of armed
groups continue to fight over natural resources and prey on the civilian
population.
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