A Rwandan Armed Forces soldier lost his life in an exchange of fire with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) at the border between the two countries. The incident took place in the village of Rutagara, in the territory of Nyiragongo, in the province of North Kivu.
According to the spokesperson for Operation Sokola 2, Lieutenant-Colonel Guillaume Njike Kaiko, the Rwandan soldiers violated the limits by entering Congolese soil at the level of boundary markers 13 and 17. The Rwandan soldiers allegedly chased away farmers Congolese from their land, which led to the intervention of the FARDC to protect them. An exchange of fire then ensued, causing the death of a Rwandan soldier whose body was recovered by his comrades.
This is not the first time that such incidents have occurred on the DRC-Rwanda border. Both armies accuse each other of violating territorial boundaries. As a lasting solution to this problem, the civil society president of Nyiragongo, Mambo Kawaya, proposes the deployment of a special force unit to protect the area, in order to put an end to illegal movements and cross-border trafficking.
This incident highlights the security challenges facing the region. He also stresses the importance of dialogue and cooperation between the two countries to avoid further violence at the border.
In conclusion, this exchange of fire between Rwandan and Congolese soldiers highlights the need for a peaceful resolution of border disputes and the promotion of regional cooperation to ensure security and stability in the region. It is essential that the authorities of both countries work together to prevent such incidents in the future and promote peaceful coexistence between their borders