The Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern province faces intensified conflict as the M23 rebel group gains control of a crucial town near the provincial capital. Amidst ongoing violence, candidates gearing up for the December 20 presidential elections have initiated campaign tours, albeit against a backdrop of unrest and displacement.
The volatile situation in the region has pitted the Congolese army and allied militias against the M23, causing civilian displacement in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Despite political activities gearing up for the polls, the conflict has continued to escalate across various parts of the east, an area marred by the presence of multiple armed groups.
Amid accusations and denials of support from neighbouring Rwanda to the rebels, the conflict has further deepened in the region, adding to the complexity of the situation.
Residents in the pivotal town of Mweso, situated approximately 60 kilometers north of Goma, have reported the M23’s seizure of control, signaling a resumption of daily activities under the group’s administration.
Reports indicate that in the face of fierce fighting near the Virunga National Park, the Congolese army and supporting militias have conceded the town to the advancing M23 forces, marking a significant development in the conflict.
The heightened clashes have resulted in numerous casualties, with scores of soldiers reportedly injured. The surge in violence has overwhelmed medical facilities, with army convoys observed collecting bodies from Goma’s general hospital over consecutive days.
President Felix Tshisekedi, seeking re-election, has declared the inability to conduct voting in territories under the M23’s influence, underscoring the challenges posed by the group’s aggressive advancements.
The dire situation has triggered a humanitarian crisis, forcing around 450,000 individuals to flee their homes in the past six weeks, leaving 200,000 people cut off from crucial humanitarian aid. This ongoing unrest compounds the already staggering statistic of nearly seven million displaced individuals across the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly concentrated in the strife-ridden eastern regions.
Adapted from The CEO East Africa