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GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday condemned an offensive by M23 rebels within the east of the nation that pressured 450 folks, together with ladies and youngsters, to hunt refuge round its base in Kitshanga city.
"The M23 should stop all hostility and withdraw from occupied areas, in accordance with the roadmap set out within the Luanda mini-summit," the mission identified by its acronym MONUSCO, mentioned on Twitter.
The assault on Kitshanga is a brand new offensive by rebels who've seized massive areas of jap Congo's North Kivu province in a fast onslaught since Could that threatened the provincial capital, Goma.
The insurgency has infected regional tensions with Congo accusing neighbour Rwanda of backing and sponsoring the Tutsi-led insurrection. United Nations consultants and Western powers have accused Rwanda of backing the M23.
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The federal government of Rwanda has denied any involvement.
Regional leaders brokered an settlement in November underneath which the rebels have been meant to withdraw from not too long ago seized positions by Jan. 15 as a part of makes an attempt to finish the combating that has displaced not less than 450,000 folks.
However a U.N. inner report mentioned the rebels have been flouting the ceasefire and withdrawal.
Two witnesses who fled Kitshanga and joined the throng of refugees on the MONUSCO base, mentioned the rebels had taken management of the city.
"The military withdrew. I am on the MONUSCO base," mentioned a Kitshanga-based journalist, requesting anonymity for safety causes.
A spokesman for Congo's authorities, and military didn't instantly reply to a request for remark.
The M23 mentioned in an announcement that it was obliged to intervene to guard Tutsis in Kitshanga and different areas.
(Further reporting by Sonia Rolley; Writing by Bate Felix; modifying by Grant McCool)
Copyright 2023 Thomson Reuters.
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