M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have resumed on February 11 their assault on Congolese government Forces in South Kivu province, ending a brief two-day pause in fighting.
The heavy shelling started on Tuesday morning, just days after a Summit of East and Southern African leaders called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
The rebels have already captured large portions of land in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the strategic city of Goma, and are now advancing towards Bukavu, another crucial city in the region.
Since early January, approximately 2,900 people have been killed due to the conflict, with UN reports also indicating that around 700,000 people have been displaced. Thousands more have been injured. The fighting on Tuesday erupted near Ihusi, located around 70 kilometres from Bukavu and 40 kilometres from the provincial airport. The spokesperson for the Congo River Alliance, which includes M23, hinted that the rebels might target Bukavu next, while also responding to the arrest of 84 Congolese army personnel by threatening to protect their people from further attacks.
Reports have surfaced alleging that M23 is forcing refugees, who had fled the fighting, to return to their homes in conflict zones. While the rebels have denied these claims, the UN’s humanitarian agency, Ocha, stated that displaced people in Goma were given a 72-hour ultimatum to return. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka dismissed these reports as propaganda, insisting that displaced people were returning voluntarily, though only with proper security guarantees. The ongoing conflict has drawn attention to the complex dynamics of the region, with accusations against Rwanda for supporting the M23, a claim it continues to deny, although it has recently acknowledged the security threats posed by the fighting near its border.