Fierce fighting broke out on Sunday between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) along with their coalition forces in Kirumba and surrounding areas in Lubero territory, North Kivu province, causing significant displacement of civilians.
The clashes reportedly began around 5:00 AM, with M23’s political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, confirming the intense fighting by 9:30 AM.
In his statement, Kanyuka claimed that the government forces and their coalition had initiated the assault, and the M23 fighters were defending themselves.
He condemned what he described as a “flagrant violation of the ceasefire” by the Kinshasa regime, stating that the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC) was defending the targeted civilian population.
As of now, the DR Congo army has not released an official statement regarding the incident. However, Colonel Alain Kiwewa, the administrator of Lubero territory, accused the M23 rebels on Saturday of violating the ceasefire by attacking positions held by the Wazalendo militia in Kathwa, Kirumba earlier in the week.
Kanyuka had also stated on Saturday evening, alleging that FARDC soldiers and their coalition were positioning heavy weaponry in areas like Katwa, Itwe, Kikubo, Ubangu, and Kamandi, with plans to assault M23 positions in Kirumba, Kaina, and Kanyabayonga. Heavy fighting was also reported on Saturday between M23 rebels and militia fighters (Wazalendo) along Kironko road near Buguri and Muheto towns, about 16 kilometers from Masisi-Centre, as well as in Kisuma, Nyange, Kaniro, and Lukopu in Masisi territory.
The ceasefire in question has been in effect since August 4, 2024, following an agreement between Rwanda and DR Congo, signed on July 30, 2024, in Luanda, Angola.
This ceasefire is part of the Ad-hoc Verification Mechanism, which was adopted in July 2022 by the Tripartite Summit of Angola, DR Congo, and Rwanda within the framework of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), aiming to pacify the Eastern DRC.
The ongoing conflict between the M23 and the Congolese government, which began in March 2022, has seen the rebels, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, capture large areas in Rutshuru, Masisi, Nyiragongo, and Lubero territories in North Kivu province.
The DR Congo government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23, an allegation that both Rwanda and the M23 rebels deny. The M23 asserts that their fight is against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the DR Congo’s leadership.
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