The Democratic Republic of Congo is warning that around 1.5 million voters living in areas controlled by the M23 rebel group will be unable to take part in elections in December.
Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said they were in the process of resettling an additional one million people displaced by conflict in the region.
He added that it might be difficult for the electoral commission to access areas under “M23 and Rwanda” adding that calling off the election was not an option.
DR Congo has previously accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group – a charge that Rwanda has consistently denied. The M23 is largely made up of ethnic Tutsis, the same group which dominates the government in Rwanda.
The M23 rebel group is in control of Rutshuru and parts of Masisi in North Kivu province. It claims it wants to protect Tutsis against militant Hutu groups, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Rwanda’s spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told the BBC that Rwanda cannot be blamed for DR Congo’s decision to arm, finance and integrate sanctioned illegal armed groups into their army – in a reference to the FDLR.
Source: bbc.com
