Iran Press/Africa: These clashes, which violate the ceasefire in force for several months, have caused a massive displacement of the population. The situation on the ground is deteriorating, exacerbated by accusations of massacres of civilians by the M23.
In a statement published Saturday evening, the Congolese army accuses the rebels of having murdered five civilians in Luofu, a village they occupy, for having revealed their movements to the FARDC.
The spokesman for military operations on the Northern Front, Reagan Mbuyi, also reported the execution of seven other civilians on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.The Congolese army announced that it is documenting the "crimes committed and damage caused by the RDF M23 enemy", promising to bring them before the courts. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of actively supporting the M23, which Kigali denies.
The M23 rebellion, which has controlled large territories in the east of the country since November 2021, has categorically rejected these accusations, calling them "propaganda".
This summit in Luanda is taking place in a context of heightened diplomatic tensions and persistent violence.The lack of tangible progress in the negotiations and the continuation of the fighting raise fears of a failure of the peace process and an escalation of the conflict.
Citizen movements accuse the West of being behind Rwanda, accused of supporting the M23 rebellion. Rwandan authorities have always denied this."We know that it is the Americans, France who support Rwanda in order to come and steal minerals from us. We, the Congolese youth, are not going to give in. We call on our authorities to take their responsibilities because we are tired of war,"
Fiston Bauma, an activist with the Lucha citizen movement, told Iranpress.The humanitarian situation is deteriorating with a massive displacement of the population.** The belligerents accuse each other of violations of the ceasefire, while the meeting in Luanda is looming as a crucial test for peace in eastern DRC.This Sunday morning, new clashes broke out in North Kivu, a few hours before the planned meeting between Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame in Luanda to discuss peace in the region.
According to our sources, the M23 rebels have received reinforcements in men, weapons and ammunition. The situation remains tense and the impact of this fighting on the peace negotiations in Luanda remains to be seen.The future of peace in eastern DRC is uncertain. The meeting between Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame in Luanda is a crucial moment for the peace process. The international community must exert strong pressure on the warring parties to genuinely commit to peace and security in the region.
The M23 is one of about 100 armed groups vying for a place in eastern Congo, a mineral-rich region near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that has caused one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced.
