M23 rebels warn SA-led SADC force in DRC use of heavy artillery threatens civilians
KINSHASA - M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have threatened the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC) over the use of heavy artillery as fighting raged on.
The mission is led by
South Africa.
Rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said M23 did not particularly have a problem with the SAMIDRC because they were "respectful to regional organisations."
But they took offence at the Tanzanian contingent of the SAMIDRC that has been allegedly launching rocket attacks.
"As the SADC forces continue to use heavy artillery, in particular the 122mm multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) operated by the Tanzanian Defence Forces, to shell and kill our civilian population, we will be left with no other choice than to capture or neutralise the weapons and those operating them to protect innocent civilians," Kanyuka said in a statement.
M23, a designated terrorist outfit, claimed to be protecting civilians in the areas they operated in.
Regional and international human rights groups, and the UN have in the past submitted what they said was proof Rwanda was behind the rebels in the eastern DRC.
For some, the direct threat from the Tanzanian Defence Forces could be an indirect source of a spat between Rwanda and Tanzania.
SAMIDRC, under South Africa's command, has been in the DRC since mid-December last year.
The third member of the army unit is the Malawian Defence Forces. The three SADC armies are working with the Forces Armees de la Republic Democratique du Congo - the Congolese national army.
Since their arrival, the SAMIDRC has carried out operations that have pushed M23 from positions such as Mweso and Masisi.
Reports said M23 had retreated to Shasha but the SAMIDRC using high-tech weapons and drones descended on the area after launching attacks from Goma. –