DR Congo: Normalcy Returns To Rugari After Govt Troops, CMC Rebels Clash
Local sources told HumAngle that “Socio-economic activities are picking up slowly in Rugari as the displaced persons are returning to their homes.”
The population of Rugari, situated about 40 kilometres to the north of Goma in North Kivu have been returning to their homes as calm returns after clashes on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 8 and 9, between the DR Congo national army, FARDC, and militia of the CMC Nyantura.
Local sources told HumAngle that “Socio-economic activities are picking up slowly in Rugari as the displaced persons are returning to their homes.”
“The civilian who was killed by a stray bullet was buried on Friday while the wounded person continues to receive treatment at the Rutshuru General Hospital reference centre,” a civil society source revealed.
HumAngle learnt that the administrator of the territory and the commander of the Rumangabo regiment had been to the village on a visit during which they held a meeting with all the villagers.
“Traffic between Goma and Rutshuru passing through Rugari is flowing very well and socio-economic activities are resuming timidly. Certain inhabitants started returning to their homes on Thursday evening and others continue to return,” Tresor Ntwari, president of the Rugari youth council said.
“The administrator has assured us of security and he has called on us to collaborate with the forces of law and order to throw out the enemy.”
He called on the FARDC to put an end to the armed adventures of CMC Nyantura militia that are still active in the zone.
“The Nyantura are still around Rugari. They are in the park. A rebel is a rebel and we do not know what is in his heart so we want that they should be totally eradicated. We want the government to come to our aid. We want them to bring us peace,” Ntwari added.
The FARDC had on Thursday, Dec. 9, affirmed through its spokesperson that the situation is under control.
The FARDC was last month faced with several attacks on its positions by armed individuals suspected to be M23 fighters.
The last attacks were on Sunday Nov. 21 and Monday, Nov. 22, when FARDC soldiers pushed back incursions into the localities of Ngugo within the Rugari group and Nyasisi in the Kisigari group in Rutshuru territory.
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