KINSHASA, Jan 20 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the March 23 Movement (M23) spread to the territory of Kalehe in South Kivu province.
The two forces clashed in the vicinity of the village of Ngungu-Kasake, and on the road of Bitonga, in the grouping of Mupfunyi Shanga, in the territory of Masisi, in North Kivu, a contest that this weekend came even closer to the axis of Kashovu-Lumbishi, in Kalehe, Radio Okapi reported.
On Sunday, local villagers also reported M23 movements in the Changugu-Ziralo and Lumbishi-Ruzirantaka axes in South Kivu, increasing panic and forcing many inhabitants of the villages of Kashovu, Luzirantaka, Nganjo, Lubono and Lumbishi to flee.
Civil society actors in Kalehe are calling for more security to prevent the M23 rebels from advancing into South Kivu while expressing concern about the serious humanitarian crisis that is worsening with each new wave of displaced people.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence reported at the most recent Council of Ministers meeting last week that the towns of Ndoluma in Lubero and Luofu were recovered from M23 control in North Kivu.
Also, Lumbishi, Ruzitanka, Kamatale, and Kabingo returned to Army control in South Kivu.
The Government of the DRC has expressed its commitment to recovering all occupied territories. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA
