North Kivu : at least 8 civilians killed and several others injured in Kanyabayonga

On Tuesday, violent fighting took place between the M23 and the FARDC and allies in the district of Kanyabayonga. It is in the territory of Lubero in the province of North Kivu (eastern DRC).

The mayor of Kanyabayonga accuses the M23 of having killed 8 civilians and injured several others.

The M23 rejects the allegations and speaks of actions carried out by the Congolese army and its allies.

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The victims were killed by bombs dropped at the Kanyabayonga shopping center, according to administration sources.

“The M23 wanted to enter the villages of Lubero territory on the morning of Tuesday. Its rebels came up against a fierce FARDC residence which pushed them back,” explains the mayor of Kanyabayonga, Chrysostome Kasereka.

According to Mr. Kasereka “after the failure, the M23 dropped bombs in the commercial center of the district of Kanyabayonga where 8 civilians were killed.”

The civil society also reports 14 injured who were evacuated to local health structures.

The M23 rejects accusations that it dropped bombs in the Kanyabayonga shopping center.

“The perpetrators of these bombings are the FARDC and the Wazalendo (local militias maintained by the Congolese authorities),” accused a spokesperson for the rebellion.

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Illustration photo : a camp for war displaced persons in North Kivu, June 2024