Highlights: Fighting in eastern DRC: why control of the town of Sake is strategic. In recent days, clashes between the Congolese army, aided by local militias, the Wazalendos, and the M23 rebels, supported by the Rwandan army have taken place. Sake, a town located about twenty kilometers west of Goma and considered a strategic barrier on the road to the provincial capital. The capture of Saké is therefore strategic: it involves encircling and further isolating Goma, a city of around 2 million inhabitants.

In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in recent days, clashes between the Congolese army, aided by local militias, the Wazalendos, and the M23 rebels, supported…

Lighting

Fighting in eastern DRC: why control of the town of Sake is strategic

In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in recent days, clashes between the Congolese army, aided by local militias, the Wazalendos, and the M23 rebels, supported by the Rwandan army, have taken place. place towards Sake, a town located about twenty kilometers west of Goma and considered a strategic barrier on the road to the provincial capital. Lighting.

[Illustrative image] People gathering next to South African National Defense Force (SANDF) vehicles as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission as they flee the territory of Masisi following clashes between M23 rebels and government forces, on a road near Sake on February 7, 2024. AFP - AUBIN MUKONI

By: RFI Follow

In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (

DRC

), sporadic gunfire was heard this Wednesday, February 14 around the town of Sake, in the province of North Kivu. Clashes between the Congolese army, helped by local militias, the Wazalendos, and the M23 rebels, supported by the Rwandan army.

Over the past ten days, the security situation has deteriorated significantly: the rebels – present in the region for several months – have launched a new offensive on Sake and its surroundings.

Also read Eastern DRC: last barrier before Goma, Saké remains in the hands of the FARDC but surrounded by the M23

In a press release, the rebel movement also confirmed that it wanted to take the town which is located about twenty kilometers west of Goma, the capital of the province. Why Sake? How is this city strategic?

Sake, strategic crossroads in North Kivu. © FMM Graphic Studio

Sake is a crossroads town: it is from there that three main roads leave: to the north, the road which leads to Butembo; to the west, which leads towards Masisi Center and Walikale; and towards the south, which leads to Bukavu, capital of South Kivu.

The first two axes were cut by the M23 a few weeks ago, disrupting the supply of food products to Goma.

Beans, cassava, potatoes, milk: products in the northeast of Masisi territory and transported to Goma, by trucks, cars or motorbikes.

The third axis, leading south towards Minova, Bukavu, was blocked last week, with the capture of Shasha by the rebels, a commune located on the shores of Lake Kivu. There too, this road was used to transport plantains and sombé, harvested in the south of Masisi territory, to Goma.

Surround, isolate Goma a little more

The capture of Saké is therefore strategic: it involves encircling and further isolating Goma, a city of around 2 million inhabitants.

Especially since the road from the provincial capital to the north had already been regularly interrupted for almost two years with the presence of the M23 in this region, in the territories of Nyiragongo and Rutshuru.

With repercussions: on the Goma markets, certain products are becoming increasingly rare. But, above all, food prices have soared. A few weeks ago, five sweet potatoes sold for 1,000 Congolese francs. Today, it's double.

Also read: Fighting in eastern DRC: “Throughout Masisi, famine is setting in,” says a local official

Fighting in eastern DRC: why control of the town of Sake is strategic

Fighting in eastern DRC: why control of the town of Sake is strategic

Surround, isolate Goma a little more

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