Violent clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 anti-government armed group have taken place in recent days in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), resulting in dozens of injuries and further displacement of populations, according to local and NGO sources on Wednesday.
Backed by Rwanda, with an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers deployed alongside them, the M23 (“March 23 Movement”) has seized large swathes of territory in eastern DRC since its resurgence in late 2021.
This resource-rich region has been torn by conflict for the past 30 years.
In recent weeks, the armed group, considered a “terrorist movement” by Kinshasa, has gained ground, notably taking control of Masisi, the administrative capital of the territory located in North Kivu province.
The Congolese army, which has declared itself “determined” to retake lost territories, has been conducting counter-offensives for several days, and the situation remains unclear in several areas.
Fighting was underway Wednesday around the towns of Nyiragongo and Kibumba, about 20 kilometers from Goma, the capital of North Kivu.
Meanwhile, intense fighting has been ongoing for several days in the town of Ngungu, about 70 km from Goma, according to local sources and residents.
The fighting has triggered a massive new wave of displacement, with the UN reporting last week that more than 100,000 people have fled their homes.
Nearly 2,500 people have arrived in recent days at the Bulengo displacement camp near Goma, camp manager Faustin Mahoro told AFP.
They have been housed in sheds in the camp, which was already crowded with some 38,500 families.
Up to 10,000 people, including many families with children, have sought refuge at Masisi Hospital and Doctors Without Borders bases, according to the NGO.
Dozens of wounded, mostly civilians hit by bullets or shrapnel, have been treated since the beginning of January.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has received more than 130 wounded at Goma hospital over the same period.
“The number of civilian casualties is worrying, and the ICRC fears the situation will deteriorate in the coming days,” warned Reagan Kambale, ICRC communications officer, contacted by AFP.
AFP/sf/lb/jn/APA