Rebels seize strategic village in east Congo

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) -- A civil society leader says rebels have seized the strategic village of Jambo in east Congo thus cutting access to a border crossing into Uganda and Rwanda.

Spokesman Omar Kavota of North Kivu province said M23 rebels attacked before dawn and fought army troops for four hours to dislodge them from the center that also has a large Catholic mission and school. It is the only major village between Bunagana border post and the major eastern town of Rutshuru.

The rebels deserted the army in April demanding stricter adherence to a 2009 peace accord. They hold some mountaintop villages near Rwanda's border.

A U.N. report says the rebels are led by renegade Gen. Bosco Ntaganda, who is wanted for war crimes, and backed by Rwanda -- a charge Rwanda denies.

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