Fighting between M23 rebels and pro-Congo militias continues in eastern DRC, particularly in Nyabiondo, following a deadly attack on civilians. The M23 group’s territorial gains raise concerns about its ambitions in Kinshasa. The DRC government blames Rwanda for supporting the rebels, a claim Rwanda denies, while accusations persist regarding the DRC’s ties with armed groups from Rwanda’s past.
Clashes between M23 rebels and pro-Congo militias have escalated in Nyabiondo, situated approximately 100 kilometers north of Goma in eastern Congo. This violence comes days after a significant attack resulted in numerous civilian deaths, as reported by the United Nations and local NGOs. The M23 group has been an aggressive force in the mineral-rich region since the beginning of the year.
According to Kipanda Biiri, a local administrative official who fled the area, the M23 rebels began their assault on Nyabiondo at approximately 11 a.m. local time. Telesphore Mitondeke, a civil society rapporteur, confirmed ongoing firefights, stating, “For the moment, there is shooting from every direction in the center of Nyabiondo.”
These recent clashes follow earlier conflicts in the village of Tambi, northeast of Masisi, which resulted in a deadly attack on civilians on March 5. An internal UN memo estimates that between 13 and 40 civilians perished in that incident. The deteriorating situation reflects heightened tensions and instability in the area.
Complicating matters, a spokesperson for the M23 alliance stated that a pro-government militia had recently defected. However, the militia’s original faction maintained loyalty to the Congolese government. M23 has ambitions that extend to capturing power in Kinshasa, criticizing the government for failing to uphold previous peace agreements.
The DRC government accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 group, a claim Rwanda vehemently disputes. Conversely, Rwanda alleges the DRC’s partnership with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), contradicting DRC’s stance. The DRC has formally labeled M23 as a terrorist organization, whereas the United Nations and the United States refer to it as an armed rebel group.
The ongoing conflict between the M23 rebels and pro-Congo militias illustrates the precarious situation in eastern DRC, characterized by heavy civilian casualties and territorial gains by the rebels. The involvement of external nations further complicates this crisis. The situation remains fluid and continues to draw significant concern from international observers as clashes persist.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
