Fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and M23 rebels in North Kivu continues to ravage the region. On Tuesday, December 3, violence intensified in Hutwe, Mathembe and around Kaseghe, leaving local populations in a situation of fear and uncertainty.
According to reports from civil society on the ground, rebel attacks are increasing in an attempt to conquer more territory in the Far North of the province. The clashes are marked by the use of heavy and light weapons, plunging the villages of Mathembe, Hutwe and Kaseghe into a climate of terror.
The president of Lubero civil society, Muhindo Tafuteni, expresses legitimate fears about the security situation. He calls on the government to intensify military operations to protect civilian populations, stressing that diplomacy alone has not been enough to resolve the conflict.
In this climate of war, hundreds of families have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in supposedly safe areas such as Kitsombiro, Alimbongo and Kasingiri. The stories of the displaced are full of despair, with some managing to find shelter with host families while others are left homeless.
The damage caused by the fighting is considerable. Bombs have fallen in Alimbongo, destroying homes and threatening the lives of innocent civilians. Lieutenant Reagan Mbuyi, spokesperson for the Front-Nord military operations, points the finger at the M23 for these indiscriminate attacks, endangering the lives of residents and even medical facilities.
In the face of this escalation of violence, it is imperative that urgent measures be taken to protect civilians and put an end to the atrocities perpetrated by armed groups. The North Kivu region has already suffered too much from past conflicts, it is time to make peace and security prevail to allow the inhabitants to live in peace on their lands.
This dramatic situation calls for concerted action by the international community, Congolese authorities and local actors to put an end to this violence, rebuild war-torn communities and offer a more peaceful future to future generations. Only by joining forces can we hope to see light shine through the darkness of the war that is ravaging the region.