2023-07-14: Lieutenant General Ndima Kongba Constant denounces the maneuvers of the M23 rebels in Goma
In a technical consultative meeting aimed at finding a solution to the conflicts between Kinshasa and the M23 rebel movement, the Military Governor of North Kivu, Lieutenant General Ndima Kongba Constant, denounced the “maneuver” and the “ruse” of the rebels who benefit from the support of Kigali.
The provincial authority highlighted the precarious security situation in the territories of Masisi, Nyiragongo and Rutshuru. Despite the announcement of a ceasefire by the Heads of State of the East African Community and the African Union, the city of Goma remains asphyxiated and surrounded by the maneuvers of the rebels of the M23.
Lieutenant General Ndima Kongba Constant highlighted the humanitarian consequences of this conflict, with more than 2.3 million displaced people and thousands of students deprived of education. In terms of security, the city of Goma is still under threat from the rebels.
He also praised the efforts of the FARDC-UPDF coalition in the province of North Kivu, in particular the neutralization of three leaders of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the territory of Beni. However, he denounced the repeated attacks by local armed groups, the Mai-Mai, which are considered to be auxiliaries to the ADF.
At the same time, Lieutenant General Ndima Kongba Constant denounced the reoccupation of several positions by the M23 rebels in the chiefdom of Bwito, in Rutshuru territory, as well as in the south-eastern part, in Masisi territory.
Joint operations between FARDC and UPDF continue with encouraging results in the northern part of the province. However, the Mai-Mai continue to act as auxiliaries to the ADF in Butembo and its surroundings. In the southern part of the province, the armed forces of the DRC respect the ceasefire, but the M23 reoccupies the positions previously evacuated, attacking the civilian populations and causing destruction.
The denunciation of Lieutenant General Ndima Kongba Constant highlights the complexity of the security situation in the North Kivu region in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pressure from M23 rebels and attacks by local armed groups continue to cause suffering to civilian populations and hamper efforts to stabilize the province. Finding a peaceful solution is critical to ending this violence and ensuring the safety and well-being of people in the region