Title: An incident shakes Kiwanja: a look back at the shots heard in North Kivu
Introduction :
On Saturday January 6, 2024, the population of Kiwanja and its surroundings, in the territory of Rutshuru in the province of North Kivu, witnessed a disturbing event. Heavy and light weapons fire was heard, causing panic among residents. In this article, we will return to this incident and try to understand the reasons for these detonations.
The mystery of the shooting of weapons in Kiwanja:
Around 7 p.m. that evening, the residents of Kiwanja were surprised by heavy and light weapons fire. For a few minutes, the population lived in psychosis, not knowing what was really happening. Some witnesses reported hearing bombs coming from the Nyongera camp, even causing a slight earthquake. Speculation was rife, and some thought of a possible start of clashes.
FARDC combat drones:
According to Lawrence Kanyuka, of M23, these shots were directed against combat drones of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) which were circulating in the Nyongera region and its surroundings. This M23 executive and political spokesperson for the rebel movement feared an imminent attack by government forces against their camp. This therefore raises the question of the presence of military drones and the existing tensions between the different armed groups in the region.
Calm returned to Kiwanja:
Fortunately, a few minutes after the shooting, calm returned to Kiwanja. This locality, which is partly under occupation by Rwandan M23 rebels, has regained its usual tranquility. Activities have resumed normally and the population is now breathing a little more peacefully.
Conclusion :
The incident that occurred in Kiwanja on Saturday January 6, 2024 caused panic among the population. The heavy and light weapons fire created a momentary psychosis, but fortunately the situation quickly calmed down. It is essential to understand the motivations behind this incident, in particular the presence of military drones and the tensions between the different armed groups. The North Kivu region remains marked by instability, but it is essential to continue to seek lasting solutions to ensure the security and well-being of the population.