AFRICA/CONGO DR - The rebels sabotage a pipeline: for the UN this "is a criminal act of intolerable war"

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - "A criminal act of intolerable war." Thus, the spokesman MONUSCO (United Nations Mission in Congo) has defined the sabotage of water pipes serving 5 villages in the Rutshuru area, in North Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The pipeline that carried water to Bunagana was destroyed in the town of Nyarubara. Gikoro, Mutingo, Bunagana, and Cheya Rubona are now without water. According to locals, the rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23) are responsible for the sabotage, they consist largely of defectors from the Congolese army. The military deserters are former members of rebel groups that, after the agreements with the government in Kinshasa, had been integrated into the ranks of the FARDC (Congolese armed forces). According to Radio Okapi, in the last two days the M23 rebels have attacked several positions of the regular army. The guerrillas appear to be gaining ground. Since April more than 200,000 people have fled from North Kivu to escape the violence. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/6/2012)