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The Congolese military accused the Rwanda-supported M23 faction on Tuesday of carrying out “numerous assaults” on its positions in the east, where several days of conflict have jeopardised a ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States.
The eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which shares a border with Rwanda and is rich in natural resources but riddled with non-state armed groups, has experienced severe violence for over thirty years.
An escalation of turmoil erupted earlier this year when the M23 militia, with Rwandan troop support, seized control of the crucial cities of Goma and Bukavu, establishing their government.
On July 19, the Congolese authorities and the M23 signed a set of principles in Doha, Qatar, which included a commitment to a “permanent ceasefire.”
This agreement followed a separate peace treaty between the governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda that was signed in Washington the month prior.
However, violence has persisted on the ground, with clashes intensifying since Friday near the town of Mulamba in South Kivu province, where the front lines had remained relatively stable since March.
According to local and security sources, the M23 launched attacks from Friday to Monday against positions occupied by pro-Kinshasa militia and army forces, pushing them back several kilometres after engaging in combat with both light and heavy weaponry.
These “almost daily” assaults represent a “deliberate and clear breach” of the peace agreement made in Washington and the principles established in Doha, stated Congolese army spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge in a release.
The military declared its readiness to retaliate “to any provocations from this coalition, known for breaching agreements,” the statement asserted.
