In the battles between rebel groups and government-loyal forces, 16 civilians have been killed in the Rutshuru area in northern Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The villagers were killed in battles between the M23 rebels, who are suspected of having support from soldiers from the neighboring country Rwanda, and fighters from a local group that often fights together with the government's security forces, according to a local leader in Rutshuru.
Formally, a ceasefire has been in effect in the area since August 4.
The eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo have long been plagued by more than 120 armed groups that, among other things, fight for control over mines with valuable minerals used in the production of smartphones and laptops. The most active group is the Tutsi-led M23, which has brought large areas under its control.
