Eastern Dr Congo: Rebels Capture Town As Fighting Resumes

DR Congo - Fighting between pro-government forces and rebels from the M23 group has resumed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with residents saying the rebels have captured the town of Kitshanga in North Kivu province.

Several people have been taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, according to a local radio station.

"The rebels are in Kitshanga and we are trying to find a way to retake the town," a security source told AFP news agency.

The area has changed hands several times since the beginning of the year, with fighting resuming three weeks ago after a six-month truce.

The area was previously patrolled by an international force provided by Congo's neighbours.

The M23 rebels are a Tutsi-led group that has been fighting the Congolese government since 2012. The group has been accused of human rights abuses, including the killing of civilians and the recruitment of child soldiers.

The latest fighting is a setback for efforts to bring peace and stability to the eastern DRC, which has been plagued by violence for decades.

What is the background to the conflict?

The conflict in the eastern DR Congo has its roots in the Rwandan genocide of 1994 when Hutu extremists killed an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

In the aftermath of the genocide, many Hutu refugees fled to the eastern DR Congo, where they formed armed groups. These groups have been accused of carrying out attacks on Tutsi civilians in Rwanda.

The Rwandan government has backed Tutsi-led rebel groups in the eastern DR Congo in an attempt to counter the Hutu militias.

The Congolese government has also been accused of supporting Hutu militias, which it has denied.

What are the implications of the latest fighting?

The latest fighting in the eastern DR Congo is a setback for efforts to bring peace and stability to the region.

The fighting is also likely to displace thousands of people, adding to the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The conflict in the eastern DR Congo has also been linked to the illegal mining of minerals in the region.

The DR Congo is home to a vast array of minerals, including cobalt, copper, and gold. These minerals are often mined illegally and smuggled out of the country, with the profits funding armed groups.

The international community has called for a ceasefire in the eastern DR Congo and for a political solution to the conflict. However, there is little sign that either side is willing to negotiate.