Congolese army bombs M23 positions in Nyiragongo territory

In the DRC, the M23 has moved closer to Goma in recent days. The rebellion has claimed several localities in recent hours, including Kibumba in the territory of Nyiragongo, only about twenty kilometers from Goma. Last Thursday, November 17, 2022, the clashes resumed at midda

The field of the fighting is this Thursday in the territory of Nyiragongo north of Goma and the detonations were heard as far as the camp for displaced persons of Kanyaruchinya, about ten kilometers from the capital of North Kivu.

Clashes confirmed by a senior Congolese army officer. According to several sources, at least one Sukhoi-type fighter plane carried out two bombardments towards Kibumba against M23 positions.

The big challenge is to stop the progress of these fighters and maintain the last security lock that would allow this armed movement to reach Goma.

Monusco and the army are multiplying initiatives to monitor and control the roads leading to Goma. Joint patrols are organized in particular on two axes: that which goes from Goma towards Sake, in the West, and that which connects Goma to Kibumba, in the North.

This Wednesday, the rebels claimed the capture of the localities of Kibumba, but also of Tongo, on the other side of the Virunga Park, gateway to the territory of Masisi.

A resident contacted by Panorama in this area explains that the rebels are indeed present in Tongo and that they held a meeting on Wednesday evening to ask the populations to return and go about their activities.

On the northern front, on the axis of Mabenga, there has been no fighting for several days. The towns of Kiwanja and Rutshuru are still under M23 control.

262,000 displaced

Clashes which therefore caused massive population movements, according to the latest figures from Ocha. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs evokes this Thursday more than 262,000 displaced people in North Kivu since last March.

More than 120,000 people have reached Nyiragongo territory where the M23 made its first incursion since May last week. It is mostly households that have left Rutshuru since the beginning of the rebel advance on October 20.

The United Nations agency announces that it has registered more than 300 unaccompanied minors in recent days. She also warns that currently more than 630,000 people need humanitarian aid in the province.

Gaston Rwaka