APA – Kinshasa (DR Congo) Clashes have reportedly resumed between DR Congolese army troops and M23 rebels in the east of the country, according to reports on Thursday.
Tension was high in Sake, a small village in North Kivu province between rebel fighters and regulars of the Armed Forces of Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), according to several correspondents present in the troubled region.
For the last two weeks, a lull was witnessed but fighting resumed early Thursday with each group accusing the other of launching attacks.
On Monday afternoon, M23rebels leader, Bertrand Bisimwa released a short statement accusing FARDC and aerial bombardment targeting several civilian localities including Karuba, Mushaki and surrounding areas.
“The coalition of the regime in Kinshasa is indiscriminately and intensely bombing civilian homes, health facilities, schools, churches, causing the death of innocent people as well as several wounded,” Bisimwa said.
He said the latest attack killed innocent people, and puts a definitive end to the ceasefire that the Kinshasa regime had itself requested.
“Forces of the Kinshasa regime are immediately resuming their indiscriminate bombardments on Kibumba, ad Buhumba. They put heavy artillery and fighter planes into action. Our forces ARC/M23 have been defending themselves and protecting the population” Bisimwa claimed.
Lawrence Kanyuka, M23 rebels’ political spokesperson also released a statement making the same accusation of FARDC indscriminately targeting civilians.
Fighting has put transport along the Goma-Rutshuru road at a standstill.
FARDC and its allies are yet to issue a statement about the fighting which has intensified.
In March 2022, M23 rebels led by Bertrand Bisimwa and General Sultan Makenga launched a war against the government in Kinshasa.
The fighting prompted the Congolese authorities to close the Uganda-DR Congo border in Bunagana in June 2022.
It remains closed.
The DR Congo government accuses Rwanda of backing M23, but Kigali and the rebel movement have denied this.
M23 said they are fighting to remove what they called the bad leadership in Kinshasa where corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination is the order of the day.
CU/as/APA