After several days of relative peace, a resurgence of violence has been reported between the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and the M23 rebels in the North Kivu region of the country.
The Congolese soldiers launched an assault on M23/AFC fighters in Mikumbi, pushing the rebels far from Kibati, sources said. Local administrative sources added that the fighting is getting close to Kashebere along the boundary between Walikale and Masisi territories.
Locals in the Waloa Yungu tribal group have raised an alarm over reinforcements by the M23 fighters in Kasopo, provoking a climate of fear within the population.
The clashes broke out amid peace negotiations between the Congolese government and the rebels in Doha, Qatar. Very little information is filtering concerning the Doha talks, but there are indications that there have been some advances, which have been presented as “goodwill gestures” demanded by the mediators.
These exchanges have facilitated the withdrawal of M23 forces from Walkale on April 2 in order “to give the peace process a chance”, according to a communique by M23/AFC. The rebels were at the time stationed in the locality of Kibati and its environs, where the clashes took place.
Violence has resumed in the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the armed forces engage with M23 rebels. Congolese soldiers have launched assaults in Mikumbi, pushing rebels away from Kibati, with fighting nearing the boundary between Walikale and Masisi territories. Amidst ongoing peace talks in Doha, Qatar, locals in the Waloa Yungu tribal group express fear due to M23 reinforcements in Kasopo. Although there has been some progress in the negotiations, tensions remain high, with M23 withdrawing from Walkale to demonstrate commitment to the peace process.