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A Kenyan soldier attached to the East African force in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been killed following clashes with rebels.<\/p>\n
DR Congo spokesman Patrick Muyaya told the BBC the soldier had died on Tuesday during fighting between the regional forces and M23 rebels in Kibumba area.<\/p>\n
There was no immediate comment from the Kenyan authorities.<\/p>\n
It is the first death reported among the Kenyan troops since they joined the force last year.<\/p>\n
A statement from the DR Congo army condemned the killing, blaming it on the M23.<\/p>\n
It said the rebels fired a mortar targeting positions of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF).<\/p>\n
Sources have denied initial reports the Kenyan soldier was killed in an ambush, saying he was killed by a stray mortar bomb.<\/p>\n
The DR Congo army said the attack was aimed at “creating a misunderstanding” between it and the EACRF.<\/p>\n
The M23 rebels did not immediately react to the accusation but have issued a statement accusing government forces of breaking the ceasefire.<\/p>\n
Fighting has resumed recently between the M23 rebels and a pro-government self-defence militia known as Wazalendo in parts of North Kivu province.<\/p>\n
The regional force has faced heavy criticism from DR Congo for failing to stop the violence.<\/p>\n
DR Congo has said it will not be renewing the EACRF mandate, due to end in December.<\/p>\n
Kenya has contributed more than 1,000 soldiers to the mission, which also includes troops from Uganda, South Sudan and Burundi.<\/p>\n
Additional reporting from Ian Wafula in Nairobi and Emery Makumeno in Kinshasa<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\n