New clashes between M23 rebels and Wazalendo in Bwiza, North Kivu
The security situation in the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo remains worrying, with new fighting reported between M23 rebels and young patriots, commonly known as “Wazalendo”. Clashes broke out this Saturday, October 21 in Bwiza, in the Bwito chiefdom.
According to local information, the M23 rebels have launched an offensive to try to regain control of certain localities recently lost to the Wazalendo. The clashes are mainly concentrated in the villages of Rushovu, Kigoma and their surroundings, where destruction of houses and looting of property have been reported.
The head of the Bwito chiefdom, mwami Raphaël Nyamulagha Bukavu Kikandi 3, confirms these fights and expresses his support for the Wazalendo who are resisting the rebels. He also denounces the reinforcement in men and ammunition of the M23 insurgents in the region, presumably coming from Rwanda and Uganda, without effective intervention on the part of the East African Community.
These new clashes come after demonstrations repressed by the police during the week, during which victims of the war of aggression led by Rwanda and the collective of citizen movements expressed their dissatisfaction with the ineffective presence of the regional force of the EAC in the field.
The security situation in North Kivu therefore remains tense, with dramatic consequences for the local population already affected by decades of conflict. It is necessary to put in place effective measures to end the violence and to guarantee the safety and well-being of the region’s residents.