Rebels of the M23 have captured a senior commander of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) during fighting near the border with Rwanda on Tuesday, local media reported quoting the statement by the Congolese insurgents.
The senior officer identified as Lt. Col Assani was captured during a skirmish with rebel fighters in Bambo village, said M23 spokesperson, Maj. Willy Ngoma.
The insurgents also seized weapons and munitions from the 243th Battalion of the Congolese army, he said.
M23 resumed its military offensive late last year, accusing the Congolese government of failing to respect a 2009 deal under which its fighters were to be incorporated into the national army.
The rebels began their campaign by raiding army positions in the area around Bunagana in November 2021 and again in March this year.
Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, an allegation Kigali has repeatedly denied.
In a related development former Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed last Saturday that Rwandan President Paul Kagame has joined calls for M23 rebels to stop fighting and withdraw from the territories they had captured in recent weeks.
Kenyatta is the East African Community (EAC) facilitator for the peace process in eastern DR Congo.
CU/as/APA