By THE INDEPENDENT UG
North Kivu, DRC | THE INDEPENDENT | The March 23 Movement (M23) has decided to lift the curfew that was imposed in the areas under its control in North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. M23 had initially enforced the curfew in Rutshuru, Masisi, and Nyiragongo, which it governs, in October 2023.
The curfew primarily affected regions along Kalengela-Kibumba, Kalengela-Tongo, Kiwanja-Kinyandoyi, and Burayi-Bunagana roads, restricting traffic between 5:30 pm and 6:30 am. The reasons behind the imposition of the curfew were not provided by M23.
However, in a statement released on Tuesday and signed by Benjamin Mbonimpa, the Executive Secretary of the M23 rebel Movement, M23 officially announced the lifting of the curfew. In the statement, M23 urged residents in its controlled areas to remain vigilant and prevent infiltration by opponents. Additionally, the public was encouraged to report any suspicious infiltrators to the authorities appointed by M23 for handling.
Despite the curfew being lifted, tension persists on the ground due to ongoing fighting and reinforcements by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers under the umbrella of Wazalendo (Patriots) and troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) aimed at reclaiming captured areas.
On Monday, FARDC and SADC troops deployed heavily and established fighting positions across Goma city and Sake town to thwart M23 rebels’ attempts to seize control.
Reports of fighting between M23 rebels and FARDC/Wazalendo emerged on Tuesday, occurring in Ndumba hill along Shasha-Nyamubingwa road in Masisi territory.
In March 2022, M23, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and General Sultan Makenga, initiated a war against the government. The DR Congo government accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim both Rwanda and M23 vehemently deny. The rebels assert that they are fighting against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination, citing these as signs of bad leadership in DR Congo.
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