The M23 rebels and the Wazalendo (Patriots) have been engaged in fierce combat once again in North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following a five-day recess.
Asserting that Wazalendo and the government troops were behind the strikes on M23 positions in Bwiza, Masisi, is President Bertrand Bisimwa of the M23 rebels.
However, according to Bisimwa, M23 will keep defending itself and defending people.
“Since Saturday, October 21, the Bwiza displaced persons’ camp has been under severe artillery attack by soldiers loyal to the Kinshasa FDLR, FARDC, mercenaries, and reserve militia. They want to wipe out the people who fled Masisi and sought safety there.”
On the battlefield, the Congolese Revolutionary Army’s (ARC/M23) fighters are highly effective.
In a statement issued Friday evening, Bisimwa stated, “They defend their positions and perfectly ensure the protection of the displaced/survivors of Masisi and all the populations present in its area.”
Regarding the fight, Wazalendo has not issued a remark. However, around 3 p.m. on Saturday, fighting was also happening in Kitchanga town, with a smaller portion under Wazalendo’s control and a larger part under the M23 rebels, a source told our correspondent under the condition of anonymity.
Burungu Hill, which provides a view of Kitchanga, is also the scene of fighting.
It was shelled by the M23 rebels from the Kitchanga centre.
However, M23 was still unable to advance to Burungu due to Wazalendo’s resistance at Kabalekasha, which was around 7 kilometres from Kitchanga.
On Monday, October 16, two Ugandan soldiers on a peacekeeping deployment in the area were wounded in an ambush by an unidentified armed group, resulting in the last gunshot heard in North Kivu.
A resupply of supplies was being carried out by forces connected to the logistics department from Kiwanja to the Uganda-DRC border at Bunagana.
This ambush occurred in the Rukoro-Buari area along the Rutshuru-Bunagana road.
Before moving on to Bunagana, the soldiers were able to avenge the attackers. No armed faction emerged to take credit for the ambush.
Through their spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, the M23 rebels denounced the incident and charged that the Ugandan troops were ambushed by the DR Congo army and Militia Coalition operating under the Wazalendo (patriots) umbrella in an attempt to undermine the aim of restoring peace in North Kivu through negotiation.
The M23 rebels, under the command of General Sultan Makenga and Bertrand Bisimwa, began fighting the DRC government in March 2022, accusing it of having incompetent leadership.
However, the administration claims Rwanda is igniting the conflict.