M23 rebels threaten security in North Kivu DRC

By Our reporter

30^th March 2022

The heavy fighting between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in Rutchuru territory, North Kivu province, about two kilometres from the DR Congo-Uganda border has destabilised peace in Bunagana town council in Kisoro district. 

Heavy fighting started in the wee hours of Monday morning in the hills of Murujinga and Mukiharo-Bunagana, three kilometres to the main border of Uganda-DRC forcing thousands of Congolese nationals to flee to Bunagana in Uganda for the safety of their lives.

Heavy gunfire from the hills of Murujinga and Mukiharo-Bunagana could be heard in Bunagana town council.

This comes as the UPDF together with the DR. Congolese Army are sweeping through Kivu Province of the militia groups especially the ADFs that have been terrorizing residents.

The fighting has left the United Nations Peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) with a heavy blow after eight of its peacekeepers died in a Helicopter crash on Tuesday March 29.

According to the UN department of peace operations, the crew aboard the Puma helicopter included six crew members – all from the Pakistani military – and two military personnel from Russia and Serbia died in helicopter that crashed in North Kivu, DRC, the statement released Wednesday March 30^th 2022 reads.

Such tragic incidents happened when the President of DR. Congo Felix Tshisekedi was confirming hi admission to the East African Community in a virtual heads of member states meeting held on March 29^th chaired by the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who reaffirmed to the members that on April 19^th 2022 it will be final sealing of the agreed since all has been finalized.

President Tshisekedi termed as a historical moment that is to pave the way for the harmonisation of the country’s policies with those of the EAC.

President Museveni also said that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) joining East African Community is an event of great significance which he has waited for the last 60 years.