Fighting escalates in eastern DRC as evidence of Rwanda's support to rebels emerges

In the eastern province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), fighting between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army, supported by other militias, is getting worse.

People fleeing the Masisi territory after clashes between M23 rebels and government forces, near Sake on 7 February 2024. AFP - AUBIN MUKONI

The violence broke out around the town of Saké, thirty kilometres from Goma, the capital of the province of North Kivu, and in the territory of Masisi.

Major displacement

According to local groups more than 135,000 people have moved to the city of Goma.

In the territory of Masisi, nearly 700,000 people have been displaced by the clashes since last December.

“The problem prevents access to foodstuffs and all basic necessities coming from Goma,” Voltaire Batundi, a local civil society leader, told RFI.

Roads are blocked and supplying this territory has become very difficult.

"The problem is access to food and all the basic necessities coming from Goma," he added, " including corn flour, beans, cereals, fuel, medicines…These do not get up to the road that connects Goma to Walikale, through Masisi. The road is blocked because the M23 took Mushaki and now demands taxes."

Violence in Masisi continues to severely hamper humanitarian aid for 697K IDPs since Dec 2023. Hostilities disrupt vital Sake-Bweremana road, impacting food security & economic activities in Goma & nearby areas.https://t.co/15y6pk4i4U pic.twitter.com/9wcHtEBi8e

— OCHA DRC (@UNOCHA_DRC) February 10, 2024

Rwandan support

The M23 rebels are fighting the local Wazalendo militias.

These groups consist of local militiamen who have partnered with the Congolese military (FARDC), primarily to fight the M23 rebels who have terrorised North Kivu province for nearly two years.

A UN report also shows that they get supplies from the Rwandan army, including missiles.

M23 (for "March 23 Movement") is an ethnic Tutsi-led movement composed of rebels from all over the region.

It has captured vast swathes of territory since 2021, and is one of several militias holding sway over much of the region, despite the presence of international peacekeepers.

A United Nations document revealed that M23 rebels are using arms provided by neighbouring Rwanda, something President Paul Kagame has always denied.

Elements of Rwanda's army supporting M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo have fired at least one surface-to-air missile, according to the internal UN document seen by French news agency AFP on Monday.

The document shows that “presumed surface-to-air missile from the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF)” targeted a UN observation drone on 6 February, without reaching it.

“French external military intelligence confirms that the WZ551 type armoured vehicle, equipped with a surface-to-air missile system, is Rwandan,” the document adds.

 (with newswires)