Kibumba : at least three people killed and eight others injured in clashes between the Congolese army and the M23

At least three people were killed, eight others injured in Kibumba, in Nyiragongo territory in the province of North Kivu, last night. These people lost their lives in clashes between the Congolese army, supported by local militias, and the M23 rebels. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Violent fighting resumed last night in the rural district of Kibumba in Nyiragongo territory in North Kivu, in the east of the DRC. These clashes pitted the Congolese army, supported by local militias, and the M23 rebels. According to our sources, at least three people were killed, eight others injured. The victims come from the small town of Kanyamahoro on the road leading to Virunga National Park, west of the district of Kibumba.

“This night, we heard the crackling of bullets in the park and as a result we saw FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) soldiers descend in large numbers, injured and dead persons have just been recorded. Three people were killed, eight others injured. They were taken to the morgue of the North Kivu provincial hospital”, a witness told SOS Médias Burundi on Wednesday evening.

Military sources report that “M23 elements attacked from Virunga Park wanting to block the Goma-Rutshuru road.”

Civil society leaders in Kibati, not far from Kibumba, say the fighting continued last night.

“People fled to Kanyarutchinya, others headed to Murambi, entities considered more secure”, they say.

An M23 spokesperson was not available to answer our questions.

After the elections of December 20, fighting resumed in the territory of Masisi, still in North Kivu. But this Wednesday, local sources reported a precarious lull.