DR Congo: Fighting continues between FARDC and M23 rebels in North Kivu

By Badylon Kawanda Bakiman

Despite diplomatic efforts by the Congolese government, the guns still won't stop firing in the province of North Kivu in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Heavy and light weapons fighting continues between the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) and the M23 rebels supported, according to several UN reports, by Rwanda.

The latest was on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in the vicinity of the town of Sake, Masisi territory, more than 20 kilometers from Goma, capital of North Kivu province.

Oswald Kulimushi, a member of civil society in Masisi territory, who provides this information, claims that the M23 have attacked a strategic army position in this part of the country. The rebels are attempting to take control of the town of Sake, but to no avail.

"Since MONUSCO left its positions, the enemy has moved significantly closer to the town of Saké. The FARDC are in the process of pushing the enemy back, but as I speak the fighting continues and the rebels are just a few meters from Saké", he declared.

The civil society leader also pointed out that, following the new fighting, the population had fled the area out of fear.

He called on the Congolese government to urgently reinforce the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the face of this threat to this strategic city in the province of North Kivu.

Belgium insists on a "negotiated solution’’

Belgium calls on the DRC and Rwanda to resume dialogue in order to reach a "negotiated solution". Belgium's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, made this appeal on Tuesday April 9, 2024, following talks with his Congolese counterpart Christophe Lutundula in Kinshasa.

"I have come in person to bring a message: that of strengthening political dialogue to reach a negotiated solution with a plan that has already been negotiated in reality in March, and again very recently under the aegis of Angolan President João Lourenço, with precise specifications for Rwanda and the DRC to reach a lasting peace", declared Hadja Lahbib, head of Belgian diplomacy.

For his part, Congolese Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula indicated that the government is "open to discussions", but demands the departure of Rwandan army troops from the DRC as a precondition.

"Rwanda is there with its military. We, the government, are open to discussions. But Rwanda must first leave Congolese soil", he said.