Clashes in the DRC: is the M23 changing strategy?

A FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) soldier holds his weapon during a security patrol around Kiwanja airfield, near Rutshuru, 70 kilometers from the eastern city of Goma Democratic Republic of Congo.

AFP - GUERCHOM NDEBO

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

In eastern DRC, this is the first time since the resumption of fighting between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army that the clashes have been so deadly.

At least 13 civilians including 4 children were killed between June 19 and 21 in Rutshuru territory according to the United Nations.

At the beginning of the week, the fighting affected the groups of Kisigari and Jomba, west of the city of Bunagana, under the control of the M23.

Is this an evolution in the conflict?

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With our correspondent in Goma,

From Sunday to Tuesday, fighting between the Congolese army and M23 insurgents took place on several fronts in Rutshuru territory, particularly towards Bikenke.

At least 13 civilians including 4 children were killed,

, the United Nations humanitarian coordination office.

The M23 denies being the perpetrators of this massacre.

“ 

 ” replies Major Willy Ngoma, spokesperson for the movement. 

But since the

ten days ago, a crossroads on the border with Uganda and a few kilometers from Rwanda, “

,” analyzes Reagan Miviri of the Congolese Ebuteli Research Institute. 

The objective of Sultani Makenga, the commander of the M23, according to six combatants of the movement quoted by the group of UN experts in a report of June 14, would be to occupy several cities including that of Goma, among the most important from eastern DRC.

As in 2012, during the previous uprising.

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