(7 Aug 1998) French/Nat
President Laurent Kabila has promised to step up resistance against Rwandan soldiers and Tutsi rebels making rapid military gains in eastern Congo.
Tutsi fighters, known as Banyamulenge, and Rwandan soldiers, also Tutsis, are believed to be leading the rebel offense.
Thousands of protesters have voiced their support for President Kabila, marching through the streets of Kinshasa, and calling for guns to join the fight against the Rwandans.
Breaking his silence since a revolt erupted in his army on Sunday, President Laurent Kabila has vowed to take the conflict to Rwanda.
Kabila launched a verbal attack against Rwanda, which Congo accuses of engineering the uprising.
He is not the only one speaking out.
"Give us weapons to go to Rwanda" demonstrators sang as they marched in support of Kabila on Thursday.
The fresh rebellion in Congo has emerged from the same province where President Laurent Kabila began his revolution two years ago.
The uprising began about a week after Kabila ordered all Rwandan troops out of the country.
Kabila did not explain the move, and now faces his former allies in the biggest challenge to his government so far.
Rebels have seized control of the key cities of Bukavu and Goma and more fighting was reported in nearby towns, government and rebel sources reported.
The victories were accompanied by persistent reports that neighbouring Rwanda has sent troops into Congo and is orchestrating the rebellion.
The demonstrators were clearly in support of resolute action against Rwanda.
UPSOUND: (French)
"Very angry. Very angry. A country like Rwanda cannot be allowed to play around with us."
The demonstrators carried two stuffed effigies bearing the images of former leading government officials - both Tutsis - who have apparently joined the renegades.
Young children and women eagerly joined the march, the children brandishing plastic guns symbolising their support for the conflict.
Two goats representing the two - Deogratias Bugera, a former Kabila confidante, and ex-Foreign Minister Bizima Karaha - were sacrificed at the end of the protest.
Rebels apparently captured the city of Uvira south of Bukavu on Thursday as fighting continued in Kisangani, according to aid workers and rebels.
A government official said Kisangani was firmly in loyalists' hands.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied involvement in the conflict, but aid workers and other eyewitnesses say they have seen Rwandan troops.
The leaders of seven southern and central African countries will meet from Saturday in Zimbabwe in trying to resolve the conflict.
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