An eventful Monday continues in Rwanda with claims of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) deploying air defence system to intercept missiles fired in from DR Congo.
Reports from Rwanda say at least two bombs have landed in Mbugangari on the outskirts of Rubavu town, injuring about 15 civilians.
Rwanda’s The New Times quoted RDF spokesperson Brigadier-General Ronald Rwivanga as saying several bombs have been fired into Rwanda by FARDC and genocidal FDLR elements in Goma.
The bombs, which this publication could not independently verify, follow the eventful day at the borders, a day in which FARDC soldiers were captured on amateur cameras begging for civilian clothes to exchange with their military fatigues to avoid identification.
Petite Barrière and Grande Barrière border crossings between Rwanda and DR Congo witnessed a day like no other Monday morning. First in were scores of Congolese national army FARDC troops fleeing the advances and capture of Goma to surrender inside Rwandan territories.
As the break of the day hit, it was apparent that Kinshasa would not take the wipe the bloody nose occasioned by the M23 attack but hit back.
Sources in Kigali have told the Nile Post that movement of people and goods at the Petite Barrière and Grande Barrière border crossings slowed down to a trickle by midday.
Schools and businesses in Rubavu town were ordered to close temporary, and students were sent home, the New Times reported.
FARDC and Wazalendo militia after their surrender in Rubavu, Rwanda, on Monday
The M23 on Monday announced the capture of Goma, the capital of North Kivu – one of three provinces in the restive Eastern DR Congo alongside South Kivu and Ituri.
While the UPDF troops control Ituri alongside FARDC, South Kivu, whose capital Bukavu is just six hours from Goma, is within the scopes of the seemingly well charged M23 rebels.
In December 2022, the M23 made significant gains toward Goma but was forced to pull back to allow regional peaceful efforts to make gains.
Back then, the US had piled pressure on Rwanda over the M23 incursion. But this time round the US has been preoccupied with President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Gaza and Russia-Ukraine war.
Added to the fact that President Trump has Africa at the basement of his priorities, there was not much pressure on the rebels whose claim is to fight back against persecution of Tutsi ethnics by the government of Felix Tshisekedi.
The international community has condemned the M23 advances and called for cessation of hostilities.
Kenyan President William Ruto Monday announced that he had spoked with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Felix Tshisekedi about the crisis in eastern DR Congo.
As chairman of the regional block, EAC, Mr Ruto announced he had called for an extraordinary meeting within the next 48 hours, confirming that both leaders have agreed to participate.