Didier Kabi, provincial spokesman for South Kivu, warned that after the evacuation of convoys from Uvira, several people in civilian clothes appeared in the city, raising doubts about the actual withdrawal of fighters from the March 23rd movement (M23) and the possibility that part of their forces were camouflaging themselves among the local population. This concern was heightened in a context marked by new armed attacks and bombings in the region, explained Europa Press.
According to the Europa Press report, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo expressed serious reservations about the authenticity of the rebel withdrawal in Uvira, a strategic city in the east of the country. South Kivu provincial authorities said that after the withdrawal was announced, they observed the movement of jeep convoys that appeared to be carrying only drivers and a small number of combatants. This move coincided with the emergence of new faces in civilian clothes, increasing suspicion of a possible cover-up to favor the regrouping of forces in surrounding rural areas.
There was an increase in armed clashes early Friday morning. According to Europa Press, attacks using drones and heavy artillery fire were carried out against densely populated areas in South Kivu. The M23, through its political wing, the Congo River Alliance, released a statement denouncing these attacks and attributing responsibility to a coalition of Congolese forces and neighboring Burundi. Specifically, the rebel group stated that the bombardment began at 05:00 local time against the town of Makobola and that a second joint offensive on Minembwe took place half an hour later.
The M23 assured in its statement that the joint forces offensive came shortly after the unilateral withdrawal from Uvira and the issuance of a ceasefire declaration. According to the statement distributed on the social network
On the other hand, there is deep skepticism towards the M23 movements among the Congolese local and national authorities. Didier Kabi publicly warned in statements to Top Congo radio that the alleged withdrawal could be a maneuver to divert and evade the attention of the international community, as there are signs that the combatants are advancing towards the Uvira plateaus to regroup with other armed formations, particularly in the Minembwe area, the epicenter of the recent attacks.
Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya made the comments via the social network
The reference to the “Rwandan father” is linked to one of the government of Kinshasa’s persistent allegations of links between the M23 and the state of Rwanda. Europa Press reported that these suspicions remain, given the ceasefire announcements and diplomatic efforts. Despite announcements of de-escalation, ongoing clashes and bombings in civilian areas reinforce the perception of instability in the region and further complicate the humanitarian situation in South Kivu.
M23, cited by Europa Press, claims that the military offensive contradicts official statements about finding a peaceful solution. The government, for its part, describes the rebel group’s withdrawal as a masquerade, the purpose of which is to promote strategic repositioning under the guise of demobilization. According to Europa Press, attacks using technical means such as drones and artillery explosives have become more frequent in recent weeks, indicating an evolution in conflict tactics.
Tensions are escalating because, according to provincial and government authorities, the M23’s willingness to engage in political negotiations remains zero. Muyaya underlined the group’s continued refusal to participate in dialogue forums such as the well-known “Washington Agreement”, which the executive said had previously helped reduce tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Europa Press points out that the lack of clarity about the M23’s true objectives and fears that they are infiltrating civilians are increasing feelings of insecurity, while the attacks and bombings are deepening the humanitarian crisis. The authorities continue to investigate the composition of the new people circulating in urban areas, but do not rule out the possibility that they are part of the rebel fighters in disguise after the withdrawal.
While hostilities continue and diplomatic indecision continues, episodes of violence continue to occur in the eastern region of the country, and in particular in South Kivu, complicating the return to peaceful conditions and exacerbating the situation of the civilian population, which is repeatedly affected by the escalation of clashes.
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