By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Monday alleged that the neighbouring Rwanda is violating its commitments to end years of conflict in the mineral-rich eastern region of DRC, just days after both countries signed a peace pact in Washington.
DRC President, Felix Tshisekedi made the accusations in an address to members of the parliament on Monday.
Efforts to begin implementation of the terms of U.S. and Qatar-brokered agreements signed in recent months between Congo, Rwanda, and the rebel group M23 have been thwarted by deadly clashes.
Over the weekend, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advanced in an area close to the border with Burundi, seizing the village of Luvungi, according to report by Reuters which quoted two local residents. They also shared a video of the rebels holding a meeting there.
Some Congolese soldiers fled the town and clashed with local Wazalendo defense forces on Sunday in the nearby town of Sange, local officials said.
Sange was bombed with grenades, and as many as 36 people were killed, a local official and other sources said on Monday.
It was not immediately clear which party to the conflict had fired or which type of weapon had caused the deadly explosion.
A civil society source shared photos of bodies of those killed, who appeared to be civilians wearing colourful, non-military clothing, covered in blood and lying at odd angles.
According to Reuters, two bodies were small and appeared to belong to young children.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied backing M23 rebels.
Last week, Rwanda and Congo reaffirmed their commitment to a U.S.-brokered deal signed in June and signed new agreements in Washington.
