Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) say they shot a Congolese soldier, and arrested two others when they crossed the border from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into Rwanda.
According to a statement from RDF, the incident is said to have occurred at around 1:10am on Tuesday.
The statement said that armed soldiers from FARDC crossed the border from DRC into Rwanda at Rubavu District (in Rubavu Sector/Rukoko Cell/Isangano Village).
“Two of the soldiers, Sgt Asman Mupenda Termite (30 years) and Cpl Lucien Anyasaka Nkoi (28 years), were arrested by RDF patrols supported by local neighbourhood watch (Irondo),” said RDF.
“The FARDC soldiers had in their possession one AK-47 gun, four magazines with 105 rounds, one protective vest, and cannabis sachets,” the statement noted adding, “The third soldier was shot dead when he fired at the patrols. No one on the Rwandan side was injured,” adding, “Further investigations are ongoing”
DR-Coongo is yet to issue a statement on today’s border incident.
Such episodes have happened in the past, in June 2022, RDF said a Congolese soldier armed with an AK 47 rifle was shot dead, when he (soldier) crossed the border in Rubavu District and began shooting at Rwanda personnel and civilians crossing the border, injuring two Rwandan police officers.
Further, in March 2023, another Congolese soldier reportedly opened fire at Rwandan security personnel across the border before he was shot dead.
