The DRC army (FARDC) fired a total of 20 bombs and rockets at the villages of Busasamana and Bugeshi, Rubavu District from 25 to 27 October 2013 causing two fatalities and injuries to innocent civilians in the area, accordinbg to the Ministry of Defense.
Thirteen-year old Jacqueline Niyonsaba died from bullet wounds while 45-year old Habimana Musafiri succumbed to bomb shrapnel wounds.
Nine other civilians, comprising two Rwandans and seven Congolese were injured and evacuated to a nearby health centre and those seriously injured transferred to hospitals.
These include: Muhoza Eric 12 years old; Gisubizo J D’Armour 14 years old; Amani 8 years old; Gasigwa 4 years old; Nzayisenga Alivera 71 years old; Ntamukunzi Sofia 70 years old, Safari Gisore 35 years old and 58 year old Catherine Gahombo.
Brig Gen Joseph Nzabamwita, RDF Spokesperson said: “Since Friday 25 October, the FARDC have fired 20 bombs, rockets and small arms fire into Rwandan territory killing and injuring children, women and men, both Rwandan and Congolese. This brings a total of two dead and nine injured civilians. The deliberate targeting of Rwandan civilians and Congolese refugees is a cowardly and uncalled for act”.
Fifteen M23 persons injured in battle with FARDC also fled to Rwanda.
“Rwanda authorities have handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) 15 injured M23 persons who crossed into Rwanda. The 15 critically injured have been hospitalized and are under the care of ICRC according to International Humanitarian Law”, said Brig Gen Nzabamwita.
The Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) has been invited to verify all these incidents according to their mandate from the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
MoD
UM– USEKE.RW
