The security situation in North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is still worrying. The M23 rebel group, supported by the Rwandan army, continues to disturb the life of the population despite the ceasefire. The regional force of the EAC is also present on the spot but the situation remains tense.
The Deputy Minister of National Defense declared that the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo are “on alert against the M23 terrorists supported by the Rwandan army who, in their expansionist ambitions, continue their action of destabilization in the North- Kivu”. He also pointed out the reinforcement of the troops of the Rwandan soldiers, coming from Rwanda, by the border post of Mwaru.
The Congolese army denounced the “warmonger” behavior of the Rwandan army and its M23 auxiliaries. The rebels have been reinforced by recruits who are completing their training in Rwanda. They reoccupied their old positions at Kibumba and Rugari where they set up their forward headquarters. The purpose of these movements is to attack the city of Goma and create a humanitarian and insecurity crisis.
This situation is very worrying for the civilian population, which has already suffered the horrors of war in this region for many years. The international community has a duty to support the efforts of the Congolese authorities to bring peace and security to this region. Congolese civil society must, for its part, continue to denounce violations of human rights and attacks on the security of the population.
In sum, the security situation in the North Kivu region requires urgent action to avoid a further escalation of violence and to put an end to the suffering of the population.