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                             DRC Rebels Enter Goma

   by VOA News

   Rebel fighters in the Democratic Republic of Congo have entered Goma,
   after days of pushing back government fighters and U.N. peacekeepers to
   close in on the eastern city.
   Witnesses said Tuesday that M23 fighters were moving toward the center
   of Goma from the city's airport, which is located on the eastern side
   of Goma near the Rwandan border.
   Western media reports quoted a U.N. official saying the rebels had
   taken control of the airport.
   The DRC and U.N. experts say Rwanda backs the M23 rebels, but Rwanda
   has repeatedly denied supporting the group.
   DRC Information Minister Lambert Mende told VOA Tuesday that sanctions
   against Rwanda are necessary to bring an end to the fighting.
   "To stop this aggression, you have to stop the hands of aggressors.
   There is not two ways of doing it," he said. "They must stop Rwanda,
   and the only way of stopping Rwanda is sanctions against Rwanda."
   The French ambassador to the U.N., Gerard Araud, said Monday that
   France will introduce a resolution condemning M23 and calling for
   sanctions against the rebel group's leaders.
   The rebels Monday demanded that the government open peace talks within
   24 hours or see a continuation of fighting around the eastern city.
   The DRC government quickly rejected the demand.
   Mende said the DRC will not negotiate with the M23, and that any talks
   would instead involve Rwanda.
   The United Nations said Monday that peacekeepers will stay in the area
   to protect civilians, but that non-essential personnel will leave Goma.
   Most members of the M23 group are former Congolese soldiers who
   defected earlier this year, demanding better pay and weapons.
   Uganda also has denied allegations that it is supporting M23.  The
   Kampala government has said that if the United Nations does not
   withdraw the allegations, it may remove its soldiers from international
   peacekeeping missions, including the one in Somalia.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/drc-rebels-enter-goma/1549373.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/drc-rebels-enter-goma/1549373.html