KRGV.com

GOMA, Congo (AP) A spokesman of a Congo rebel group says fighting erupted in the east between his group and another faction of the M23 rebel group.

Seraphin Mirindi said the new splinter of M23 led by President Jean-Marie Runiga attacked the positions of the faction led by Gen. Sultani Makenga in Chanzu, near the border with Uganda, around midnight. The fighting continued until about 5 a.m. Friday

The M23 divided into two groups on Wednesday after Makenga dismissed Runiga as the head of the political branch over disagreements on negotiations with the Congolese government.

The M23 took Goma, the capital of North Kivu, eastern Congo, in November but withdrew from the city under international pressure and the Congolese government promise that it would negotiate with the movement.