Clashes continue between M23 rebels and pro-Congolese militias in Nyabiondo, eastern Congo, following a deadly attack. M23 has expanded its control since the beginning of the year, aiming for influence over mineral-rich territories. Recent reports indicate heavy civilian casualties, and accusations persist between Congo and Rwanda regarding support for rebel factions.
Clashes between M23 rebels and pro-Congolese militias continue in Nyabiondo, located approximately 100 km north of Goma in eastern Congo. This unrest follows a recent attack that resulted in numerous civilian casualties. Reports indicate that the M23 rebel group has expanded its control over valuable mineral-rich regions of eastern Congo since the beginning of the year.
On Sunday, local administrative authority official Kipanda Biiri reported that M23 took control of Nyabiondo around 11 a.m. local time following intense clashes. Civil society rapporteur Telesphore Mitondeke described the situation as chaotic, with gunfire reported from multiple directions in the town center, indicating the severity of ongoing violence.
This recent fighting comes after earlier clashes in Tambi, located about 18 km northeast of Masisi, culminating in an overnight attack on March 5. According to the head of a local NGO, this attack resulted in substantial civilian losses, with a UN memo estimating that between 13 and 40 civilians were potentially killed.
Additionally, a spokesperson for the M23 alliance claimed that a pro-government militia operating in eastern Congo had defected to their side. However, the spokesperson of the original militia stated that the remainder of the group remains loyal to the Congolese government and its army.
M23 rebels have expressed ambitions to seize power in the capital, Kinshasa, accusing the government of failing to fulfill previous peace agreements, particularly regarding the integration of Congolese Tutsis into national structures. Analysts suggest that their territorial gains this year will enhance their access to mining revenues.
The Congolese government has made repeated allegations of Rwandan support for the M23 group, a claim that Rwanda publicly denies. Conversely, Rwanda accuses Kinshasa of associating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu group linked to the Rwandan genocide, which DRC authorities refute. Officially, the DRC has classified M23 as a terrorist organization, while both the United Nations and the United States categorize it as an armed rebel group.
The ongoing clashes in eastern Congo, especially the violence in Nyabiondo, underscore the region’s instability and the complexities of militia alignments. The conflict not only highlights the humanitarian toll but also the geopolitics involving Rwanda and inter-rebel dynamics. With M23’s growing power and control over resource-rich areas, the potential for increased violence and humanitarian crises remains significant, warranting close international attention.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
