M23 rebels have advanced in eastern DRC, capturing Goma and Bukavu and threatening Walikale, an important town for the government. Amid rising violence, DRC officials have offered a $5 million reward for M23 leader captures. The Group Kabido allied with M23, highlighting military disorganization, while humanitarian crises worsen due to escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure and displacement of populations.
M23 rebels have advanced in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), seizing the cities of Goma and Bukavu, which are capitals of North and South Kivu provinces, respectively. Recent reports indicate that these Rwanda-backed rebels have infiltrated Nyabwindo village, strategically positioned 100 km (62 miles) north of Goma and on the path to the crucial town of Walikale. Walikale holds significance for the DRC government due to its industrial mine that generates substantial tax revenue.
In a notable setback for government forces, the Group Kabido, an allied armed group active in eastern DRC for decades, declared its allegiance to the M23 rebels. This decision highlights the fragmentation and disorganization within the DRC army, as reported by Alain Uaykani from Al Jazeera. Following this announcement, another armed group subsequently defected, further compromising government military efforts.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported worsening conditions, with increased violence affecting hospitals and civilian infrastructure, leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of individuals. Between March 1 and 3, numerous medical facilities were attacked, prompting the shutdown of hospitals and schools. Additionally, at least four civilians were killed in confrontations between the M23 and rival factions in Masisi district, displacing over 100,000 individuals.
In a bid to counter this escalation, DRC authorities have offered a $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of key M23 leaders, including Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, and Sultani Makenga. All three were sentenced to death in absentia in August 2024 for their roles in the ongoing conflict. The DRC government is also offering an additional $4 million reward for apprehending their accomplices.
Since January, more than 7,000 individuals have lost their lives in DRC’s ongoing conflict, with a significant portion being civilians. The M23 is one of more than 200 armed groups in eastern DRC, competing for control over mineral resources. Following a period of dormancy, M23 resumed hostilities in 2021, capturing extensive territories in North Kivu, which borders Rwanda. Allegations of Rwandan support for the M23 have been made by a UN expert group and the United States, though Kigali has denied these claims.
The situation in the DRC remains critical as M23 rebels continue to make territorial gains amidst disarray within government forces and increasing civilian casualties. The DRC government’s substantial financial rewards for the capture of rebel leaders underscore the urgency to address the rising violence and instability in the region. Continued international scrutiny is essential to evaluate alleged external support influencing the conflict.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
