Major General Peter Cirimwami, military governor of DRC’s North Kivu, was killed by injuries from clashes with M23 rebels. The rebels are closing in on Goma, causing alarm and mass displacements. The region faces significant humanitarian crises, with calls for evacuation from Western nations as the conflict deepens.
The military governor of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Major General Peter Cirimwami, has succumbed to injuries sustained in an armed clash with M23 rebel fighters. He was reportedly wounded while visiting frontline troops near Kasengezi, approximately 8 miles from the provincial capital, Goma, on the day of his death. Multiple credible sources, including government, military, and UN personnel, confirmed his passing, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on discussing the matter publicly.
The M23 rebel group has achieved considerable territorial strides, encircling Goma, which houses around 2 million individuals and serves as a crucial site for security and humanitarian operations. Tensions escalated in Goma following the reported capture of Sake by rebels, which is a vital access route to the city under government control. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres indicated that the rapidly developing conflict has resulted in over 400,000 displacements in the region this year alone, a figure nearly doubled from the previous week.
Matthew Saltmarsh, a spokesperson from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), expressed deep concern regarding the safety of internally displaced individuals in North Kivu. The ongoing violence and bombings have forced many families from several displacement sites to seek refuge within Goma city, leading to significant humanitarian challenges as numerous affected individuals lack adequate shelter.
In light of the escalating situation, the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, and France have advised their citizens to evacuate Goma while travel remains feasible, disseminating this urgent recommendation through various communication channels. M23 has been implicated in numerous human rights violations, including sexual assault, contributing to the plight of over two million displaced individuals since the resurgence of the conflict three years ago.
A displaced resident from Mukwija, Mumulirwa Baguma Destin, noted that many families fled their homes preemptively, fearing aggressive recruitment by M23 fighters. The M23 group is among numerous armed factions seeking control over the mineral-rich eastern DRC, intensifying an ongoing crisis for which the region is notorious. This month alone, M23 has successfully taken territories encompassing Minova, Katale, and Masisi, further consolidating its influence.
The DRC, alongside the UN and various experts, has accused Rwanda of supporting M23, asserting that the group mainly comprises ethnic Tutsis who defected from the Congolese army over a decade ago. While the Rwandan government denies these allegations, it acknowledges the presence of its military forces in eastern DRC as a security measure against Congolese military buildups near the border. Reports indicate that many displaced individuals have experienced trauma from the previous M23 offensive in 2012 and live in fear of recurrence.
Individuals residing in refugee camps are confronted with poor sanitary conditions and heightened risks of sexual violence, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian landscape.
The conflict in the DRC’s eastern provinces, particularly in North Kivu, stems from various longstanding tensions and armed factions vying for control over strategic and resource-rich areas. The M23 rebel group, formed largely by ethnic Tutsis and with alleged backing from Rwanda, has been implicated in numerous human rights violations. The cycle of violence has led to significant humanitarian crises, characterized by millions of displaced individuals seeking safety amid ongoing hostilities.
The death of Major General Peter Cirimwami represents a significant blow to military leadership amid the escalating conflict in North Kivu. The M23 rebels have amplified their territorial control, causing widespread panic in Goma, displacing hundreds of thousands of people, and prompting international advisories for citizens to evacuate. The deteriorating humanitarian conditions and ongoing violence underscore the urgent need for resolution to this protracted conflict in the DRC.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
