Fierce fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC), alongside the Twirwaneho and Red Tabara coalition, has continued in South Kivu Province.
Heavy fighting was reported on Thursday in Luhago and Luntukulu in Mulamba Groupement, Walungu Territory, as well as in Rugezi, Nyaruhinga and Mukoko along the Minembwe axis.
Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for M23/AFC, on Thursday evening accused FARDC of launching attacks on M23/AFC positions and areas hosting civilians using 82mm mortars, kamikaze drones and KT-6 drones.
Kanyuka described the alleged attacks as part of what he called a daily campaign of extermination against civilians, which he said was being carried out with political, diplomatic and material support from certain states and private military companies.
However, Second Lieutenant Reagan Mbuyi Kalonji, spokesperson for FARDC’s Operation Sukola 2 in South Kivu, also released a statement stating that the army had shot down a kamikaze drone belonging to what he described as a coalition of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), M23/AFC, Twirwaneho and Red Tabara in the High Plateaus of Fizi Territory.
Kalonji said the drone was neutralised at about 8 AM on Thursday between the villages of Mukoko and Mulima, specifically in the Runyengo area, following several attacks on FARDC positions in the High Plateaus of Fizi. He shared photographs and short videos showing what he said were debris from the downed drone.
Kalonji also said FARDC had repelled attacks by M23/AFC and its allies, although he did not provide details of possible human or material casualties.
He called on residents to remain calm, saying the army was continuing operations to defend the country’s territorial integrity and protect civilians. On Wednesday, FARDC accused M23/AFC and its allies of bombing Mwalu Hotel in Fizi-Centre, Fizi Territory, injuring two civilians seriously.
Local sources suspected that the attack may have targeted Major General Élie Ndizigiye, alias Muzinga, Deputy Commander of the Land Forces of the Burundi National Defence Force (FDNB), who is reportedly in Fizi Territory working alongside Brigadier General Fabien Dunia Kashindi, commander of FARDC’s 33rd Military Region.
The two commanders are reportedly involved in preparations for an offensive against M23/AFC and its allies in the area. The renewed fighting comes after M23/AFC reportedly announced plans to advance and capture strategic areas, including Fizi, Baraka, Uvira and Kalemie, before potentially moving towards Kolwezi and Lubumbashi.
The bombing of Mwalu Hotel also comes as representatives of the warring parties engage in peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, raising fresh concerns about diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23/AFC, allegations that Kigali and the rebel movement have consistently denied. M23/AFC maintains that its armed struggle is aimed at addressing what it describes as corruption, xenophobia and discrimination within the Congolese leadership-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
