M23 rebels have captured Minova in eastern DRC, prompting displacement and strategic concerns regarding supply routes to Goma. This group has recently gained control over several towns and continues to advance in the region, leading to a worsening humanitarian crisis.
M23 rebels have seized the town of Minova in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a vital supply route to Goma, the provincial capital. This capture has triggered an exodus of residents as the rebel group’s offensive continues. South Kivu’s provincial governor, Jean-Jacques Purusi, confirmed additional territorial gains for M23, including the towns of Lumbishi, Numbi, and Shanje, as well as Bweremana in North Kivu province.
The Congolese military announced “breakthroughs” in both Minova and Bweremana, though they did not confirm the rebels’ control over these towns. M23, known as the March 23 Movement, consists of ethnic Tutsis and originates from a split from the Congolese army over a decade ago. Gaining prominence in 2012 with their capture of Goma, M23 is part of a broader conflict involving approximately 100 armed groups competing for power in eastern Congo, which is rich in minerals.
The conflict in eastern Congo has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with over seven million people displaced. The government of Congo, alongside the United States and UN experts, has accused Rwanda of providing support to M23, a claim that Rwanda vehemently denies. Recently, the rebels captured Masisi, another crucial mining town serving as a supply route to Goma.
The situation in eastern DRC has been tumultuous, with armed groups like M23 vying for control of strategic territories and resources. The M23 group, which emerged in 2012, draws its fighters primarily from the Tutsi ethnic group and has a history intertwined with Congo’s complex national conflicts. The ongoing instability has led to massive population displacements and has intensified the humanitarian crisis in the region, making the area a focal point for international concern and intervention.
The seizure of Minova by M23 rebels marks a significant escalation in the conflict in eastern DRC, highlighting the group’s sustained territorial advances. The situation continues to evolve as neighboring Rwanda stands accused of backing these rebels, complicating regional tensions. As humanitarian conditions deteriorate, international attention remains on the plight of displaced populations and the strategic implications of this ongoing conflict.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
