Title: Clashes between FARDC and M23 rebels continue in Sake, North Kivu: an echo of the persistent violence in the region
In the troubled territory of Masisi, located in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, hostilities continue between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the M23 rebels. These clashes broke out on Sunday, December 8 in the locality of Sake, more precisely in the Kamuronza group, throwing the civilian population into a climate of terror and uncertainty.
According to eyewitnesses, the deafening sounds of weapons rang out from the early hours of the morning and did not subside until late in the evening. The M23 rebels, entrenched in the surrounding mountains, attempted an offensive on the city of Sake from different fronts, sowing panic among the inhabitants. Despite fierce resistance from Congolese forces and their allies, violence persists, hindering the movement of civilians on strategic roads in the region.
These latest clashes come on top of a series of fighting that has been shaking the region for several days. In the Mupfunyi-Kibabi group, in Masisi territory, M23 rebels clashed with VDP/Wazalendo groups, plunging the villages of Bukumbirire and Miole into a climate of permanent war. The occupation of several villages by the rebels has forced many residents to flee their homes, seeking refuge in the neighboring sectors of Katoyi and Nyamaboko 1er.
This escalation of violence in the Masisi region once again highlights the fragility of the security situation in the DRC, where civilian populations are being held hostage by armed groups fighting for control of territories rich in natural resources. The humanitarian consequences of these clashes are devastating, with massive population displacement, loss of human life and growing insecurity.
Faced with this ongoing tragedy, it is imperative that the international community strengthen its efforts to support the Congolese authorities in stabilizing the region and protecting civilians. Sustainable solutions must be found to end this cycle of violence and allow local populations to live in peace and security.