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- Rwanda says a bullet from armed clashes in the DRC crossed into its territory and injured a local.
- Kigali adds it will defend its territory and civilians against attacks from rebels domiciled in the eastern DRC.
- The DRC is accused of violating the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.
A bullet that crossed the border from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) seriously injured a civilian in Rwanda, authorities there say.
In a statement, Rwanda government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said at around 12:30 on Monday, "a civilian was injured by a stray bullet originating from clashes among the coalition of Kinshasa-backed illegal armed groups".
The incident took place in the Rubavu Sector in Rwanda's Western Province.
The man was reported to be undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
There are more than a hundred "mai mai" community-based armed groups in eastern DRC, the hotbed of conflict in the country.
READ | Rwanda's Paul Kagame is still targeting critics abroad, rights group claims
There are also bigger groups, such as the M23 rebels, which the DRC and UN, as well as numerous rights groups, say get direct funding from Rwanda.
There is also the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which is allegedly supported by the DRC and launches attacks into Rwanda.
The UN has since instructed the DRC not to support the rebels.
Rwanda and the DRC have in numerous instances almost gone to war due to provocations by each side, such as the shooting down of a DRC aircraft that strayed into Rwandan territory early this year.
There are two regional peace initiatives to end the conflict in the eastern DRC and to normalise relations between Rwanda and the DRC.
The Luanda Process focuses on putting an end to hostilities between the DRC and Rwanda, while the Nairobi Process focuses on ending hostilities among the DRC's rebels.
The shooting incident, Rwanda said, was in violation of both processes.
ALSO READ | Fighting intensifies in east DR Congo, where M23 once held sway
However, the country added it would remain vigilant, even if it meant defending itself.
"Rwanda will maintain defensive and preventive mechanisms to guard against violations of our airspace and borders and counter any spill over into Rwanda from any armed group, in order to ensure the security and safety of Rwandan citizens," read the statement.
The DRC is due to hold general elections on 20 December.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has accused the DRC's Felix Tshisekedi of using the conflict in eastern DRC to avoid elections.
The News24 Africa Desk is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The stories produced through the Africa Desk and the opinions and statements that may be contained herein do not reflect those of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
