22 Nov 2012

DR Congo rebels now aiming at capital

9:40 am on 22 November 2012

Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have threatened to march on the capital, Kinshasa, after capturing the eastern city of Goma.

The BBC reports a crowd in Goma was told by Lieutenant Colonel Vianney Kazarama that M23 were ready to topple President Joseph Kabila.

"The journey to liberate (DR) Congo has started now," he said.

Lt Col Kazarama said they were "going to move on to Bukavu and then to Kinshasa''.

Bukavu is about 230km south of Goma and Kinshasa is about 1600km from Goma.

The rebellion by M23 began in April. There are fears that a civil war in 1997-2003 could be renewed.

President Kabila took power following the assassination of his father, Laurent, in 2001.