Rwandan President Appoints Accused General As Minister

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has appointed a senior military official as a minister of state for regional cooperation despite the fact he been accused of working closely with a Congolese rebel group.

General James Kabarebe, who has for decades been a close ally of Mr Kagame, retired from the military last month.

UN experts published a report in June accusing Gen Kabarebe of playing a leading role in coordinating operations by the M23 rebel group in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda has denied that its military has supported the M23.

Since the group relaunched a rebellion almost two years ago, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forced from their homes.

DR Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 – an allegation denied in Kigali.

BBC/Jide Johnson.