The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday condemned an offensive by M23 rebels in the east of the country that forced 450 people, including women and children, to seek refuge around its base in Kitshanga town.
The insurgency has inflamed regional tensions with Congo accusing neighbor Rwanda of backing and sponsoring the Tutsi-led rebellion. United Nations experts and Western powers have accused Rwanda of backing the M23. The government of Rwanda has denied any involvement.
Regional leaders brokered an agreement in November under which the rebels were meant to withdraw from recently seized positions by Jan. 15 as part of attempts to end the fighting that has displaced at least 450,000 people.
But a UN internal report said the rebels were flouting the ceasefire and withdrawal.
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