8 months ago
M23 Rebels Advance in Congo
A group called M23, which is supported by Rwanda, is fighting in eastern Congo.
This has caused about 200,000 people to leave their homes.
The fighting is near a town called Uvira.
The United Nations says many people have been hurt or killed.
The leaders of Congo and Rwanda recently signed a peace deal in the United States, but the fighting is still happening.
The M23 group says they want to talk about peace, but they are also fighting.
The United States and the United Nations say Rwanda is helping the M23 group, but Rwanda says they are not.
The Congolese president says Rwanda is not keeping their promises from the peace deal.
About 200,000 people have fled their homes in eastern Congo due to advancing Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
At least 74 people have been killed, mostly civilians, and 83 have been wounded in recent clashes.
The M23 rebels are advancing towards the town of Uvira, despite a recent peace pact signed in Washington.
The U.S. and U.N. accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, while Rwanda denies these allegations.
The Congolese president has accused Rwanda of violating the commitments made in the Washington peace deal.
- Who
- Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, Congolese troops, local groups (Wazalendo), civilians
- What
- Advance of M23 rebels, displacement of 200,000 people, ongoing conflict
- Where
- Eastern Congo, near the lakeside town of Uvira and other villages
- When
- Recent days, with a peace pact signed on December 4
- Why
- Escalating clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese forces, despite recent peace agreements
Key facts
- Number of Displaced People
- 200,000
- Casualties
- 74 killed, 83 wounded
- Key Towns Affected
- Uvira, Luvungi, Sange, Kiliba
- Peace Talks Location
- Doha, Qatar
- Peace Pact Signing Location
- Washington, D.C.
- Total Displaced Before Recent Upsurge
- 1.2 million
Quotes
Lawrence Kanyuka
Spokesperson for a coalition that includes M23
“The city of Uvira is now liberated.”
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Edouard Bizimana
Burundi's foreign minister
“Uvira has not yet fallen.”
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Therese Kayikwamba Wagner
Congolese Foreign Minister
“Washington has to restore the credibility of its process through accountability. It is not enough to condemn. It is not enough to be preoccupied or to be concerned.”
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Rwanda's foreign ministry
Rwandan Foreign Ministry
“The Burundian army has amassed close to 20,000 troops in South Kivu in the service of the government of DRC.”
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