DR Congo rebels accused of damaging key power plant

The European Union and the Institute for the Conservation of Nature in the Democratic Republic of Congo have accused M23 rebels of shelling and "significantly" damaging a hydropower plant at a national park.

The rebels are said to have used heavy weapons to shell Virunga National Park during deadly clashes with the army on Tuesday in Rutshuru territory in eastern DR Congo.

In a statement on Twitter, the EU in DR Congo said it condemns the M23 for “sabotage on a public facility that gives electricity to habitats in North Kivu”.

The EU - which funds the construction of hydropower plants around Virunga park - called on the M23 to “immediately lay down the arms and vacate occupied area”.

Since June, M23 rebels have been occupying areas bordering the park, which is home to endangered mountain gorillas.

The Congolese Institute of Conservation cited local people as saying that two heavy artilleries came from an M23 position 5km (3 miles) away to hit the plant causing “significant materials damage”.

The institute said none of its employees was harmed as they were evacuated when the clashes broke but add that “there were many victims in surrounding villages”.

The rebels have denied attacking the facility, saying that nature conservation facilities “are not military targets” of their attacks.

The group's head of its political wing, Bertrand Bisimwa, released a statement saying the institute's allegations were "made-up" to absolve the army and its allies from “their horrendous act”.

Local media say six people were killed during the Tuesday clashes.

Source: BBC