Title: The occupation of Bukombo-centre by M23 terrorists: an alarming situation
Introduction :
The village of Bukombo-centre, located in the territory of Rutshuru, province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is currently under occupation by terrorists of the March 23 Movement (M23) supported by the Rwandan Armed Forces (RDF). This alarming situation has led to violent fighting with local armed groups, forcing part of the population to take refuge in other localities. The authorities and the local population had already been alerted to the strengthening of rebel positions in the area, but the attack nevertheless took place. In this article, we will take a closer look at the causes and consequences of this occupation, as well as the repercussions on the local population.
The origins of the occupation:
According to local sources, M23 terrorists launched a coordinated attack from different directions to take control of Bukombo-centre. Some groups came from Mulimbi, Kashavu, Shonyi and Kavumu, while others came from Bishusha and Kizimba. This offensive occurred despite warnings from the local population and the authorities about the growing presence of rebels in the area.
The consequences for the population:
The occupation of Bukombo-centre led to violent clashes with local armed groups, causing a large part of the population to flee. Many have taken refuge in the neighboring localities of Nyanzale, Katsiru and Mashango, while others have taken the direction of Mwesso and Katsiru to seek safety. The local population thus suffered an ordeal due to the presence of the insurgents. Moreover, the terrorists seem to be taking advantage of the ceasefire observed by the army to retake all the areas they once occupied.
The repercussions in neighboring territories:
Reports from neighboring Masisi territory suggest that M23 terrorists are also reinforcing their positions towards Bishusha, Sanseti and Shangi, near Kirolirwe. They would even have used local inhabitants to transport their belongings. This rebel expansion risks exacerbating instability in the region and jeopardizing ongoing peace efforts.
Conclusion :
The occupation of Bukombo-centre by M23 terrorists and the RDF is an alarming situation which has serious consequences for the local population and the stability of the region. The coordinated attacks by the rebels and their reinforcement in other neighboring territories highlight the need for an effective response from the authorities to prevent further escalations of violence. The protection of civilians and the restoration of security in these areas must be absolute priorities in order to restore peace and stability in this region of the DRC