Rebels Repelled in Congo by Government Forces.
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Friday, November 14, 2008
Government forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have pushed rebels back 5km at the front line north of the eastern city of Goma.
In Goma, hundreds of women are expected to join a protest shortly to demand peace and protection for the region.
Aid workers have warned that thousands of people at a camp near Goma should be moved in case fighting breaks out. More than 60,000 displaced people are at the Kibati camp, close to the front line separating government troops and rebels loyal to Gen Laurent Nkunda.
They are among 250,000 who have fled the violence which flared in August. Fighting has stopped aid from reaching Kibati and forced many there to flee south to the provincial capital, Goma.
The front line is now just beyond two strategic hills, on top of which government forces have placed spotters and artillery.
The distance between the nearest opposing troops is just a few hundred metres. On the rebel side of the line rebel soldiers are consolidating their own, high, ground - more hills from which they could target the government forces on the road below.
The United Nations peacekeeping force in DR Congo wants the two sides to move further apart to minimise the possibility of accidental clashes which could exacerbate the already disastrous humanitarian situation.