On Friday morning, an unidentified Congolese soldier armed with an AK 47 rifle went on a shooting rampage at the commonly known “Petite Barrière” border in Rubavu District, western Rwanda where he was later shot dead by a Rwandan police officer.
According to a statement from Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), an unidentified Congolese soldier armed with an AK 47 rifle crossed the “Petite Barrière” border in Rubavu District and began shooting at Rwandan security personnel and civilians crossing the border, injuring two Rwandan police officers.
“A Rwanda National Police officer on duty shot back in self-defence, to protect civilians crossing the border and border agents. The Congolese soldier was shot dead 25 metres inside Rwandan territory”, says Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) in a press release.
The Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) was later invited to investigate the incident and Rwandan authorities informed DRC authorities>
DRC-Rwanda border officials visited the scene with the EJVM investigators.
The Congolese have been holding demonstrations against Rwanda’s perceived support to the M23 rebels that have taken control of Bunagana border town in the DRC and on Wednesday residents of Goma on Wednesday at the border.