DRC: the handover of the Rumangabo military camp by the M23 to the East African force pushed back

Entrance to the town of Rumangabo, in Rutshuru, DRC, October 10, 2022. © Paulina Zidi / RFI

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The M23 rebels, who continued their advance in northern Rutshuru territory on Wednesday, were to hand over the Rumangabo military camp on Thursday to soldiers from the East African Force (EAC) deployed there.

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The handover has been postponed to Friday, January 6.

According to civilian sources, elements of the East African Force (EAC) arrived on Wednesday January 4 in the Rumangabo camp to discuss the terms of this withdrawal.

Since then, meetings have been underway between the rebels and the Kenyan military.

This Thursday morning, journalists wanted to go to the scene to

, but the soldiers of the EAC, the East African community, opposed it.

They put forward the security argument and therefore explained to the media that they intended to secure National Road 2 (RN2) instead, before allowing them to access the Rumangabo military camp.

Rumangabo, strategic military place

This camp, considered the largest of the Congolese army in Rutshuru, had fallen in a few hours against the advance of the M23 in November 2022. The hill on which it is located is one of the security locks for this RN2 which is one of the supply points in the city of Goma.

The Rumangabo military camp in 2013. © Léa Lisa Westerhoff / RFI

Local sources say that the M23 did not set up directly in the camp, but rather positioned combatants at observation posts and that it will be necessary to check whether the rebels are withdrawing from these positions.

► To read also: The M23 rebels continue their advance in the northern part of Rutshuru territory

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