The M23 armed group has advanced further into the mineral-rich region of the Democratic Republic of Congo after taking control of key cities such as Goma and Bukavu, which serve as the capitals of North and South Kivu provinces, respectively.
Security sources have informed Al Jazeera that the rebels, who have received support from Rwanda, have entered Nyabiondo village, approximately 100km (62 miles) north of Goma and situated on the road leading to Walikale in North Kivu.
Uaykani, reporting for Al Jazeera from Goma, emphasized the importance of Walikale to the government as it is the location of the only industrial mine where they receive substantial tax payments.
In a significant blow to government forces, one of their allied armed groups, known as the Group Kabido, has announced its joining forces with the M23. The Group Kabido, which has been active in eastern DRC for decades, stated that their decision to align with the M23 is driven by their dissatisfaction with the mismanagement of the Kinshasa government.
Uaykani further mentioned that another group also defected shortly after, indicating the growing disorganization within the DRC army and the advantage that the M23 is gaining from the situation.
In the midst of the escalating violence, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that attacks have targeted hospitals and other civilian infrastructure, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
According to OCHA, armed actors targeted several hospitals between March 1 and 3, compromising the security in Goma, which is plagued by criminal activities such as burglaries, thefts, and attacks. Hospitals and schools have also been forced to close in other areas.
At least four civilians were killed and over 100,000 people were displaced in the Lubero area due to fighting between M23 and rival groups.
$5m reward for capturing M23 rebel leaders
In an effort to counter the rebels’ advancement, the authorities in the DRC have announced a $5m reward for information leading to the arrest of M23 rebel leaders.
The Ministry of Justice stated that a reward of five million dollars is being offered for the arrest of Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, and Sultani Makenga, who were convicted and sentenced to death in absentia in August 2024.
Additionally, the DRC authorities are offering a $4m bounty for information that leads to the capture of the three men’s accomplices on the run and other individuals sought by the government.
Since January, over 7,000 people, including a significant number of civilians, have been killed in the fighting in eastern DRC.
The M23 is among the more than 200 armed groups operating in the eastern DRC, vying for control over the region’s valuable minerals. After being dormant for more than a decade, the group resumed fighting in 2021 and seized extensive territories in North Kivu, a region bordering Rwanda.
Recent weeks have witnessed a rapid M23 military campaign that resulted in the capture of Goma and Bukavu. UN experts and the United States allege that Rwanda is providing support to the M23, a claim that Kigali denies.
