News: The fate of those taken hostage by the rebel group M23 raises concern
In a burst of violence, the rebel group M23 took hostage about forty people, mostly travellers, in the localities of Kilolirwe and Burungu, located in the territory of Masisi, in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. . This hostage taking took place on Wednesday, August 23, and since then the authorities have been trying to resolve this precarious situation.
According to unnamed sources, some hostages are being held at a school in Rushebeshe, while others have been taken to hills above the village of Burungu. The fate of these people is still unknown and the local population is living in great panic, pushing some inhabitants to flee the Burungu region and its surroundings.
It should be noted that many travelers were among the hostages, transported by motorcyclists from the city of Mweso, Kitchanga and other villages under the control of the rebel group M23. Other hostages were en route from Goma to Mweso and surrounding areas. This situation has created a shock wave among the inhabitants, who fear for the life and safety of the hostages.
Beyond this hostage-taking, the M23 rebels also impose significant taxes on truckers and freight carriers on the Sake-Mweso axis, passing through Kilolirwe and Burungu. Each vehicle must pay between 500 and 700 US dollars for each passage, thus increasing the financial difficulties of economic actors in the region.
Faced with this situation, many voices have been raised to demand the intervention of the competent authorities in order to guarantee the release of the hostages and to put an end to the abuses perpetrated by the rebel group M23. The security of civilian populations must be an absolute priority and concrete measures must be taken to resolve this crisis and establish a climate of peace in the region.
It is important to remember that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is going through several security and humanitarian challenges, with the presence of armed groups and massive population displacements. Efforts must be made both nationally and internationally to address these issues and ensure the safety and well-being of Congolese