DRC: new fighting between pro-government militias and the M23 in the Goma area
This Wednesday, fighting pitted pro-government militias against M23 rebels supported by Rwanda in the area around Sake, the last stronghold before Goma, the capital of North Kivu and the main city in the region. New fights which are not isolated. Clashes were reported on several fronts in Masisi and Nyiragongo territories.
Congolese civilians flee the territory of Masisi, on a road near Sake, February 7, 2024. AFP - AUBIN MUKONI
By: RFI Follow
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With our correspondent in Goma
,
Coralie Pierret
The clashes resumed in the middle of the night around 3:30 a.m. local time, confirms the spokesperson for the Congolese army in North Kivu, Lieutenant-Colonel Guillaume Njike. These battles took place in the hills, around thirty kilometers from the provincial capital and pitted the M23 rebels supported by Rwanda against Wazalendo militiamen, allies of Kinshasa.
Repeated heavy weapons fire heard even in the displaced persons camps on the outskirts of Goma. “
The detonations whistled until 3 p.m. this Wednesday and this caused great concern among the population
,” says a source from local civil society.
Last week, it was also in the territory of Masisi, towards Bihambwe on the Mushaki-Masisi Center axis that shooting and fighting were reported, as well as in more remote areas far from the main roads of the province.
On Saturday March 23, it was on another front, in another territory, that of Nyiragongo, that explosions were heard. On Tuesday, several Wazalendo militiamen were buried, causing major traffic jams in the city of Goma. Among them, several commanders of the armed group UFDPC, the Union of Patriotic Defense Forces.
Also read: Fighting in eastern DRC: why control of the town of Sake is strategic
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