UN confirms MLC/RCD-ML clashes in northeast

The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed on Monday that fighting has taken place between rival armed opposition groups in and around Isiro and Buta, in the northeast of the country.

The clashes have involved the Mouvement de liberation du Congo (MLC) of Jean-Pierre Bemba and the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie - Mouvement de liberation - Kisangani (RCD-ML-K) faction of Mbusa Nyamwisi. Both groups are backed by Uganda.

It is believed that the fighting erupted over territorial disputes between the MLC and the RCD-ML-K. A regional analyst told IRIN that hostilities were aggravated by MLC concern that Nyamwisi was colluding with the Congolese government of President Joseph Kabila.

At a meeting on Sunday between representatives of the UN mission (known by its French acronym, MONUC) and rebel leaders at MLC headquarters in Gbadolite, northwestern Congo, the UN expressed concern regarding MLC troop advances toward Isiro, Sqn Ldr Nigel Hillary of MONUC told IRIN on Monday. "However, despite assurances by the MLC that they would not enter Isiro, they have," he said. "We're working on a number of solutions, but the ultimate aim is to clearly define boundaries between the MLC and RCD-ML," Hillary said.

He added that precise figures on casualties were not yet available.

Earlier, on Friday, AFP quoted Bemba from Kigali, Rwanda, as saying, "There was no confrontation, simply clashes between armed bandits who got into territory we control."

On Tuesday, RCD-controlled RTNC radio reported from Goma that the strategic airport of Isiro was captured by MLC forces. Hillary told IRIN that MONUC had received reports of gunfire in the area.