North Kivu: Intensification of fighting between FARDC and M23 in Jomba

Clashes have intensified over the past two days between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), supported by MONUSCO, and the M23 rebellion in the Jomba group, in Rutshuru territory (North Kivu). After heavy fighting on Sunday, May 22, detonations of heavy and light weapons were heard early Monday, May 23, on the hills overlooking Bunagana, towards the locality of Ruginga, southeast of Bunagana, on the border between the DRC and Uganda, say civilian sources in Rutshuru.

MONUSCO forces are intervening alongside farDC to repel an attempted advance by M23 rebels to other localities in neighbouring Bweza and Kisigari groups.

Sokola 2 spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Guillaume Njike says the army has gained an ascendancy over the enemy.

According to him, the situation remains under FARDC control on the Rutshuru-Bunagana axis.

No details, however, on the situation of the hills of Tchanzu and Runyoni which were previously occupied by the M23.

However, some sources in the area indicate that the rebels are currently concentrated between Kanyanja and Ruginga, 7 km southeast of Bunagana.

The new clashes have caused several people to move again from the Jomba and Bweza groups to Rutsiro and Ntamugenga, including a few new returnees, according to a report by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released on Monday.

Humanitarian partners will estimate the numbers of displaced people as soon as possible, the report said.