M23 rebels
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels capture crucial town in DR Congo
M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have taken control of a significant town in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s tumultuous eastern region, a local official reported on Saturday.
“Kanyabayonga has been under M23 control since Friday evening,” stated the official, who wished to remain anonymous.
Kanyabayonga is strategically located on the northern front of the conflict in North Kivu province. This region has been plagued by violence since 2021, when the M23 (March 23 Movement) reignited its insurgency.
The town serves as a gateway to major commercial hubs, Butembo and Beni, in the north.
Kanyabayonga, which houses over 60,000 residents, has also become a refuge for thousands of people who have fled their homes due to the rebel advance.
Situated in Lubero territory, Kanyabayonga is the fourth territory in North Kivu that the M23 has infiltrated, following Rutshuru, Nyiragongo, and Masisi.
“The people in Kanyabayonga, especially those who had relocated from Rutshuru to Lubero, have no place left to go. It’s a situation of complete despair, and the population is exhausted,” the official added.
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A resident mentioned that during a meeting led by M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma on Saturday, the rebels encouraged residents to stay in Kanyabayonga, promising peace.
“They claim they will reach Kinshasa. How long can we keep running?” the resident asked, expressing skepticism about the rebels’ promises.
Colonel Alain Kiwewa, the military administrator of Lubero territory, observed an influx of displaced individuals from Miriki, Kirumba, and Luofu heading north. “This situation is deeply concerning,” he stated.
Local sources reported escalating clashes between Congolese forces and the M23 around Kanyabayonga on Friday, with fighting also heard in nearby towns.
“A night filled with gunfire,” described a youth leader from Kayna, located 17 kilometers (10 miles) north of Kanyabayonga. He noted that people fleeing from Kanyabayonga “spent the night under the stars,” overwhelmed with fear.
In Kirumba, 25 kilometers (15 miles) from Kanyabayonga, the population is gripped by panic, a civil society leader disclosed on condition of anonymity. “We can’t move. We have no idea where to go,” he said.
The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office, in its monthly report, highlighted that the clashes are causing significant civilian displacement. “Humanitarian organizations providing aid to the displaced have halted their operations due to security concerns,” the report stated.
(AFP)
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