North Kivu : ten civilians killed by bombs in Sake, the M23 and the FARDC and allies blame each other

Since Thursday, intense fighting has been reported between the FARDC and its allies including the regional force -SADC (Southern African Development Community) on one side and the M23 on the other side. It is in the city of Sake and its surroundings in the province of North Kivu in the east of the DRC.Ten civilians were killed and several others injured by bombs dropped in the area.The belligerents blame each other. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The fighting took place mainly in Sake and its surroundings. They pitted the Congolese army in coalition with the SADC soldiers against the M23, according to residents who report a heavy toll.

“Bombs fell on the population. We already have counted 10 civilians killed, and several injured. It’s truly a deplorable situation,” lament our sources.

On Friday, the Congo River Alliance AFC/M23 accused the FARDC and its allies of having dropped bombs on peaceful citizens.

“The FARDC killed more than 10 civilians in the surroundings of the town of Sake. Added to this are several other seriously injured civilians and several material damages. Everything was committed by the Kinshasa government coalition, the FDLR* and SADC. Kinshasa should stop these blunders against peaceful Congolese,” declared Willy Ngoma, military spokesperson for the M23.

For its part, the Congolese army rejects all these accusations and affirms that it is rather the M23 which is responsible for the bombs dropped on the population.

“We have pushed back M23 elements in several of its positions surrounding the town of Sake in Masisi territory. We would like to inform the national and international community that the M23 is dropping bombs on the population of Sake. We are going to drive out the enemy outside the national territory”, accused Colonel Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko, spokesperson for the military governor of North Kivu.

One South African soldier killed, others injured

On Friday, the South African army said in a press release that it had recorded human damage during the fighting with the M23.

“The South African National Defense Force (SANDF), confirms that on Thursday 30 May 2024, members of the SANDF came into contact with the M23 at Sake. In the ensuing battle, 13 members of our soldiers were injured, one fatally. All the injured were evacuated to a hospital in Goma and are recovering. Meanwhile, two armored personnel carriers (APC) were damaged,” it wrote, promising to give the update to the public and inform the family of the slain soldier.

Fear of the advance of the M23

According to residents, clashes intensified in Rutshuru territory towards Kanyabayonga in Lubero territory. This worries the population and entire families have chosen to flee.

“The situation is deteriorating and we fear the advance of the M23 rebels. They are about ten kilometers south of Kanyabayonga in the hills overlooking Butalongola and Bulindi. We were afraid and fled, some to Kayna, Kirumba, Kaseghe and Butembo,” fleeing residents told SOS Médias Burundi.

On Friday, the Congolese army and its allies reorganized “to face an advance by the M23 in Kanyabayonga”.

“The locality gives access to the territory of Lubero, entry point to Grand Kivu,” said worryingly administration sources.