The March 23 Movement (M23) has claimed the capture of Ngungu town and neighbouring areas in Masisi territory as the resumption of fighting with Armed Forces of Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers and coalition intensifies in North Kivu province.
On Thursday, Lieutenant Colonel Willy Ngoma, the M23 rebels’ military spokesperson released a statement claiming the capture of Ngungu town and neighboring positions of Mululu,Runigi and Kenyenzuki in Kibabi groupement from FARDC soldiers and coalition. Ngungu is located about 10 kilometres from Rubaya town.
“After Rubaya, Mululu and Runigi, towards Kanyenzuki, the M23 managed to drive out the coalition forces of FDLR, Maï Maï, Imbonerakure, the Burundian Army and the FARDC in Ngungu. 100 fights = 100 victories. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi must leave”, claims Ngoma in a statement.
General Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, M23 rebels military commander also released a short statement claiming the same.
“Mululu and Runigi in the heights of Kanyenzuki , are already under the control of the AFC/M23 ”, says Makenga in a statement.
The latest advance follows the M23 rebels’ claim of capturing the Coltan Mineral rich town of Rubaya in Bahunde Chiefdom, same territory on Wednesday following intense fighting.
Later Bertrand Bisimwa, the M23 rebels’ President released a statement urging miners to return to the mines and work.
Bisimwa argued that M23 was forced to advance to the area after FARDC and mercenary soldiers from Burundi launched an attack on their positions on Tuesday.
He explained that M23 had a week ago protested Burundian mercenaries and FARDC’s presence in the area and handing over bladed weapons to some people to kill civilians.
Bisimwa said that all miners are allowed to return to the site and do their work because it is not a military target and M23 had no plans of conquering the site had it not been the provocation from FARDC and coalition.
Bisimwa however asked miners to move away from armed groups and other enemy forces, adding that it threatens the tranquility of the population in the area.
The government is yet to release a statement about the latest M23 advance claims. M23 continues to conquer more positions in Rutshuru, Masisi and Nyiragongo territories despite resistance from FARDC and coalition.
Four months after deployment of foreign troops under Southern African Development Community (SADC) in North Kivu province, success has been registered to uproot M23 rebels from the captured positions
In March 2022, M23, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and General Sultan Makenga, initiated a conflict against the government.
The DR Congo government accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, although both Rwanda and M23 vehemently deny these claims.
The rebels assert that they are fighting against corruption, xenophobia and discrimination within the leadership of DR Congo.
