The M23 rebels have advanced in the DRC, capturing Goma and Bukavu, and are targeting Walikale. The government faces defections from allied armed groups and has offered a $5 million reward for the capture of rebel leaders. OCHA reports increasing violence and significant civilian displacement amidst the ongoing conflict.
The M23 rebel group has intensified its military campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), seizing key cities such as Goma and Bukavu, the capitals of North and South Kivu provinces. The rebels recently advanced into Nyabwindo village, situated approximately 100 km north of Goma, and are now targeting the strategically significant town of Walikale, essential due to its industrial mine that generates substantial tax revenue for the government.
In a significant blow to the DRC government, the Group Kabido, previously allied with government forces but active for decades, has aligned with the M23, citing dissatisfaction with the Kinshasa government’s management. This defection highlights organizational issues within the DRC military and suggests that the M23 is capitalizing on this turmoil, with reports indicating additional groups also joining the rebellion.
Humanitarian concerns are escalating, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting increased violent attacks on hospitals and civilian infrastructure, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands. In recent confrontations in Masisi district, at least four civilians lost their lives, and over 100,000 individuals were newly displaced in neighboring Lubero.
To combat the insurgency, DRC authorities have announced a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of prominent M23 leaders—Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, and Sultani Makenga—who were sentenced to death in absentia. An additional $4 million is offered for information on their accomplices and other wanted individuals. The ongoing conflict has claimed more than 7,000 lives since January, with many civilian casualties reported amid the fighting between M23 and various rival factions.
The DRC is experiencing a critical security crisis as the M23 rebel group gains ground, capturing pivotal cities and forming new alliances. The government’s attempts to address the situation through financial rewards for the capture of rebel leaders signal a desperate effort to regain control. Concurrently, the humanitarian situation worsens as violence displaces thousands and threatens civilian infrastructure, necessitating urgent international attention and intervention.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
