20120630
AFP
Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Kabila on Friday blamed "dark national and foreign forces" for violent unrest in the eastern part of the country.

Rwanda has denied accusations it has been helping an army mutiny in eastern DR Congo by former Congolese Tutsi rebels known as M23, who had been integrated into the army but defected this year.

Kabila said on public television that the country's Independence Day celebrations on June 30 would be marred by "rogues manipulated by dark national and foreign forces" responsible for a mutiny.

These actions, Kabila said, had "once again brought violence to Nord-Kivu province and forced thousands of our countrymen to err and fall into insecurity".

"As leader of the nation, I tell them that their security is priceless, that it remains our top priority and, whatever happens, whatever it costs, united and determined we will defend our country and make it a haven of peace," he said.

"The military, political and diplomatic action we are taking will continue," he said.

Rwanda has been accused of supporting the mutiny, but Kabila did not name the neighbouring country in his speech.

The rebel chief in the unrest is Bosco Ntaganda, a warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges.

The UN released a report on Tuesday whose annex, as yet unpublished but a copy of which was obtained by AFP, said senior Rwandan Defence Forces officers "in their official capacities, have been backstopping the rebels through providing weapons, military supplies and new recruits".

Officials named in the addendum include Rwandan Defence Minister James Kabarebe and Chief of Defence Staff Charles Kayonga.

The annex details how Kabarebe, Kayonga and others breached international sanctions by providing sustained political and military support to the rebels.

Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said the report "still needs checking".