Photo: Le Potentiel

Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (file photo).

Three people were yesterday reportedly wounded after soldiers of the Democratic Republic of Congo fired heavy weapons rounds into Rwandan territory.

The shells that landed in Gisenyi followed renewed fighting between Democratic Republic of Congo army and M23 rebels in the eastern part of DRC last week.

Hundreds of people have so far been displaced and DRC soldiers reportedly fled Goma in large numbers as M23 rebels advanced to the gates of the regional capital.

According to a source in Gisenyi, the shells also destroyed a petrol station. Efforts to get a comment from the Rwanda Defence Forces were futile after a source in the Military promised to get back to the reporter after consultations.

Meanwhile, Democratic Republic of Congo yesterday rejected a 24-hour ultimatum from M23 rebels to open talks or face an onslaught.

Congo's government spokesman Lambert Mende said, "We do not want to deal with them or answer their ultimatums or proposals. It is an ultimatum from a fictitious group that has no real value to us," Mende said.

The demands set forth by the M23 rebel group calls for the immediate demilitarization of the city and the airport in Goma. It also calls for the opening of the frontier at the town of Bunagana within the next 48 hours.

The rebels also want the government to make a declaration on state TV and radio within the next 24 hours announcing the start of negotiations with the M23 rebel group.