Angola has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of violating a ceasefire in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which had been in place since early August following mediation efforts by Angola. A statement issued by the Angolan government condemned the M23’s seizure of the town of Kalembe in North Kivu province on Sunday as a “flagrant violation” of the truce. It warned that this act jeopardises ongoing peace efforts to resolve the conflict in the region, which has been marked by violence between various armed groups.
On Sunday, fighting broke out between heavily armed M23 rebels and the Wazalendo militia, a government-aligned group, leading to the occupation of Kalembe by M23 forces. Residents reported that the Wazalendo were pushed out of the town by the M23, but Marcellin Shenkuku, a spokesperson for the Wazalendo, later claimed that the militia regained control.
The involvement of the official Congolese military in the fighting was not confirmed. Clashes between M23 and government-aligned militias are frequent, though rarely addressed in official statements from governments, thus making Angola’s statement all the more significant.
North Kivu, rich in minerals such as gold, coltan, and diamonds, has been at the centre of conflict for decades. The M23 has seized significant territory in eastern DRC since launching an offensive in 2021, displacing thousands and worsening the humanitarian crisis. UN figures put the displaced people at around 2.6 million as of the end of September. The rebel group has also been accused of committing serious war crimes such as rape and forced recruitment of civilians, including children.
Various organisations, including the UN, have accused neighbouring Rwanda of providing M23 with weapons and soldiers. In July, a report by the UN Security Council’s group of experts revealed that between 3000 and 4000 Rwandan soldiers have fought alongside M23 rebels in the DRC.
Source:
News
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