The M23 rebels on the move
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Violent crashes have erupted in South Kivu localities as M23 and its allies – Twirwaneho militia seized three strategic towns in South Kivu, Habari Daily has learnt.
Earlier this year, the M23 launched an offensive in North and South Kivu provinces, capturing cities and villages, including provincial capitals Goma and Bukavu.
Thousands of civilians were killed, hundreds of thousands more were displaced, and serious human rights violations were committed.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Twirwaneho announced that they have taken control of three strategic localities in South Kivu, a move that would cause an escalation in the conflict, after a peace pact was signed between the M23 and the Congolese Government.
“Nzibira, the home to an airfield supplying government troops and allied militias, fell to our fighters and M23 forces on August 9,” reads part of the statement.
It further said that the incident came less than 24 hours after the capture of Kaniola and Mulamba towns.
Reports said that the Congolese army and Wazalendo self-defence forces retreated west toward Shabunda and south toward Uvira in the face of the offensive.
M23, officially known as the March 23 Movement, resurfaced in late 2021, and according to the UN investigators say operates with direct support from Rwanda, a claim Kigali denies.
Twirwaneho said that they are soon launch a final offensive that would kick the Kinshasha based administration out of Government. They termed Felix Tishekedi’s Government as one that incapable of protecting its citizens, negotiating with its opponents or planning a counter offensive.
The peace pact
An agreement signed by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) “reflects the parties’ resolve to prioritise peaceful means, establish a ceasefire, and set up a joint mechanism to define its practical implementation.”
According to the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MONUSCO) the move is “an important step towards sustainable peace.”
The Declaration of Principles comes less than a month after a peace agreement signed by Congo and Rwanda, long accused by the Congolese Government of supporting the M23.
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