Fighting escalates in eastern DRC as M23 rebels clash with pro-Congo militias, seizing control in Nyabiondo. Recent civilian attacks have resulted in significant casualties, and accusations regarding Rwandan support for M23 persist amid international tensions. The DRC government classifies M23 as a terrorist organization, while the US and UN view it as an armed rebel group.
Fighting continues in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with clashes between M23 rebels and pro-Congolese militias reported in Nyabiondo, located 100 km north of Goma. This conflict follows a recent attack that caused significant civilian casualties, as reported by the United Nations and local NGOs. The M23 group has gained control over substantial areas of the mineral-rich eastern DRC since early this year.
Local administrative official Kipanda Biiri indicated that M23 took control of Nyabiondo around 11 a.m. local time on Sunday after intense clashes. Telesphore Mitondeke, a civil society rapporteur, described the situation as chaotic, stating that shots were being fired from multiple directions in the town’s center.
This outbreak of conflict follows earlier fighting in the village of Tambi, northeast of Masisi, where an attack on March 5 led to numerous civilian deaths. Internal reports from the UN estimate that between 13 and 40 civilians were killed in this incident.
In a related development, a spokesperson for the M23 alliance claimed that a pro-government militia had defected to their side. However, a representative for the militia stated that the majority of its members remain loyal to the Congolese government.
The M23 rebels aim to take control of the DRC capital, Kinshasa, criticizing the government for failing to integrate Congolese Tutsis into the military and administration. Analysts suggest that their territorial expansion in mineral-rich regions may enhance their financial resources through mining operations.
The DRC government accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 group, a claim that Rwanda denies, blaming Kinshasa for its support of the FDLR, a group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The DRC has labeled M23 a terrorist organization, while the UN and the US categorize it as an armed rebel group.
The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo highlights intense fighting between M23 rebels and pro-government militias, resultant from civilian attacks causing severe casualties. With M23 pursuing further territorial control and the complexities of international accusations regarding support from neighboring Rwanda, the situation remains critical. Both local and international responses to this crisis will be essential as the situation develops.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
