By KT Reporter
Heavy fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), backed by the Wazalendo militia coalition, and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels has entered its third day in Lubero territory, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The clashes, which resumed in the early hours of Monday following a brief lull over the weekend, have engulfed multiple fronts, including Kaseghe, Mighobwe, and Katwa, located 3-5 kilometers from Kirumba. Additional fierce battles have been reported in Miobwe and Luofu.
By midday Wednesday, FARDC claimed to have regained control of Miobwe, Bwatsinge, and Kanyatsi villages, forcing M23 rebels to retreat. The ongoing violence has caused mass displacement, with locals fleeing to safer areas.
The FARDC, Wazalendo militia, and M23 rebels have traded accusations of violating the Angola-mediated ceasefire, meant to facilitate peace talks. Last week, the M23 rebels dismissed the peace talks between Rwanda and DR Congo, stating that none of their leaders had been invited to participate.
Meanwhile, the conflict has escalated to the East African Court of Justice in Arusha, Tanzania, where DR Congo is seeking legal redress against Rwanda for alleged violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity. During a preliminary hearing, DR Congo’s Deputy Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Samuel Mbemba, urged the court to condemn Rwanda for alleged aggressions, including looting, rapes, and massacres in eastern DR Congo. Kinshasa also seeks financial compensation from Kigali.
Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, countered by urging DR Congo to focus on addressing atrocities committed by FARDC and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group opposed to the Rwandan government, before “giving lessons on justice.”
The conflict, which began in March 2022, is led by M23 leaders Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga. In August 2024, they allied with Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, the former chairperson of DR Congo’s electoral commission and leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), to intensify their insurgency against the government.
M23 rebels claim their fight is against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within DR Congo’s leadership, allegations that the government denies. Kinshasa has consistently accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim both Rwanda and M23 have rejected-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
