Troops of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), the rebel coalition to which the M23 belongs, have launched a new offensive in North Kivu, a region already plagued by chronic instability. After violent clashes against the pro-government militiamen, the “Wazalendo”, two strategic localities fell under the control of the AFC this weekend, before a counter-offensive by the pro-government.
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With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi
These strategic positions, located in a region rich in gold and cassiterite quarries in the east of the DRCbring the clashes even closer to Pinga, the largest town in the area, located around thirty kilometers from these localities. Crackling bullets were still heard this Tuesday morning.
Saturday and Sunday October 20, rebel forces occupied Kalembe and Ihula, two localities less than ten kilometers apart, in the territory of Walikale. These actions come in the middle of the ceasefire, signed between Kinshasa and Kigali. But the Congo River Alliance (AFC), through the voice of its executives, claims not to feel bound by this agreement. Rebel troops say they are only respecting their own unilateral ceasefire, which they themselves proclaimed.
The fighting of recent days is, according to the AFC, a response to what it describes as “ provocation » pro-government militias “Wazalendo”. These militias are partly composed of fighters from the NDC-R and the APCLS, two local armed groups. Local sources indicate that the final objective of this new offensive would be to try to absorb local militias and continue their advance in the region.
Diplomatic efforts compromised?
These military movements come even as Angolan President Joao Lourenço redoubles his efforts to relaunch the peace process. He spoke last weekend by telephone with the Rwandan and Congolese presidents with the aim of accelerating the search for peace.
On the side of the Congolese government, we reaffirm that there is no negotiation possible outside the framework set by the Luanda process, the mechanism which governs discussions between Kinshasa and Kigali.
The Congolese authorities say they expect, from the facilitation, by October 26, a “ concept of operations proposal », a strategic document supposed to reflect the concerns of both parties. It remains to be seen whether this new military dynamic on the ground will influence the continuation of the diplomatic dialogue.
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