International News
M23 Rebels take over Congolese Customs at Bunagana border
Panic has ensued near the Bunagana border following the capture of the Bunagana border on the side of the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC by M23 rebels, forcing over 150 government soldiers to flee into Uganda.
The FARDC soldiers have now surrendered to Ugandan authorities at the Bunagana border. The development follows renewed fighting near the Bunagana border in Rutshuru territory, which started on Friday.
TheUgPost reporter at the border says the soldiers took refuge in Uganda following non-stop fighting on Sunday day and night.
This forced FARDC soldiers who were manning the border to abandon tanks and other kinds of weapons as they fled to Uganda.
After crossing over, the soldiers handed over all the guns to Ugandan security and were escorted to the nearby Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) barracks in Kabaya, Bunagana.
“They have not crossed over to the Ugandan side, they just wanted the Congolese side and there is no fighting. Congolese nationals who had crossed to Uganda are allowed to cross back and pick their belongings without any issues with the M23,” our reporter says.
In the last 5 or so months, Congolese nationals have been crossing into Uganda via the Bunagana border fleeing fighting between FARDC soldiers and the rebels. any Congolese nationals are crossing into Uganda because of the heavy gunfire that can be heard at the. According to Hajji Shafique Ssekandi Ssengoba, the Kisoro Resident District, more than 30,000 civilians have crossed into Uganda since the fighting began.
The M23 rebels fired in the air after capturing the border, as a sign of victory, taking over the main connection between Uganda-Rutshuru and Goma towns in Rutshuru territory.
