Rutshuru | |
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Rutshuru | |
![]() Matebe dam, Rutshuru | |
Location in the Congo | |
Coordinates: 01°11′9″S 29°26′58″E / 1.18583°S 29.44944°E | |
Country | DR Congo |
Province | North Kivu |
Territory | Rutshuru |
Time zone | UTC+2 (CAT) |
National language | Swahili |
Climate | Aw |
Rutshuru is a town located in the North Kivu province of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and is headquarters of an administrative district, the Rutshuru Territory. The town lies in the western branch of the Albertine Rift between Lakes Edward and Kivu. The Ugandan border is 15 km east and the Rwandan border is 30 km south-east. Lava flows from the Nyamuragira volcano, 40 km south-west, have come within 7 km of the town in recent years.
It is the largest town formerly controlled by the rebel National Congress for the Defence of the People faction.[citation needed] As of November 2012, the town was a stronghold of the rebel, or self-styled 'revolutionary' March 23 Movement.[1] After the defeat of the M23 Movement the town was retaken by the Congolese army, and President Joseph Kabila paid a visit to the town in November 2013 after driving from Kisangani.[2]