KINSHASA - The Congolese army spokesman, General Sylvain Ekenge, affirms that movements of the Rwandan army and the M23 rebellion are underway in the province of North Kivu with a view, according to him, "to attack the city of Goma."

The army spokesman specifies that recruits have just "completed their training in Rwanda and at Tchanzu (hill near the Rwandan border)" and are deployed at the exit of Goma, in Kibumba and Rugari, areas supposed to be "under control of EAC force."

The main sticking point between the DRC and its neighbours is the mandate of this force, which the Congolese authorities accuse of complacency towards the rebellion.

In early May, at a summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi condemned the "observed cohabitation" between EAC troops and "M23 terrorists."

Following the announcement of possible troop dispatch by SADC countries, President Tshisekedi said the East African force could be asked to leave the country at the end of June - just three months after its full deployment - because "the mission assigned to this force is not fulfilled."