Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga, the spokesperson for the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), confirmed the incident in an interview with IGIHE on Monday, January 27, 2025.
Reports indicate that the artillery was fired by members of the terrorist group FDLR, which opposes the Rwandan government, alongside FARDC forces. Some of the shots were fired under military protection.
Brigadier General Rwivanga noted that the artillery was fired by the forces as they fled Goma, which came under the control of M23 fighters in the early hours of Monday morning.
'The fatalities and injuries are due to artillery fire. Looking at the situation, they are fleeing, setting up their hideouts, and firing blindly into Rwanda, not targeting soldiers but rather civilians," he stated.
The spokesperson further noted that RDF soldiers responded with gunfire to push back the forces and minimize casualties.
'These are not direct attacks on military positions; these are defensive strategies to reduce the impact of the gunfire on civilians. The RDF is simply firing back at the source of the fire," he explained.
The spokesperson reassured the public not to be alarmed, assuring them that security measures will continue as usual to protect citizens.
IGIHE
