In a statement released late on Monday, the United Nations said at least 74 people had been killed, mostly civilians, and 83 admitted to hospital with wounds from escalating clashes in the area in recent days.
Local officials and residents said the Rwanda-backed M23 group has been advancing towards the lakeside town of Uvira on the border with Burundi, and battling with DRC troops and local groups known as Wazalendo in villages north of the town.
In Washington, the US and nine other members of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes on Tuesday voiced “profound concern” over the renewed violence, the group said in a joint statement. It said the new M23 rebel offensive “has a destabilising potential for the whole region” adding that the growing use of attack and suicide drones marked a major escalation in the fighting and posed a serious threat to civilians.
The violence follows last week’s hosting by the US President of the Rwandan and DRC Presidents in Washington for the ceremonial signing of a pact affirming US and Qatari-brokered commitments to end the war.
“Today we’re succeeding where so many others have failed,” Trump said at the December 4 event, claiming his administration had ended a 30-year conflict that had led to the deaths of millions.
M23 fighters pushed toward Uvira on Tuesday after coming under attack by government forces, said Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo rebel coalition, urging fleeing soldiers not to abandon the town.
“You are Congoles and Wazalendo soldiers. Do not flee Uvira. Wait for us to free you,” said Nangaa of the AFC, a broad coalition of which M23 is a part.
A DRC army Spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.
–Reuters–
