News

M23 Rebels Want Dialogue With DR Congo Government

The DR Congo government, however, does not want to dialogue with the rebels, whom it considers ‘terrorists’ and are currently holding DR Congo territories under siege.

The March 23 (M23) rebel movement says it wants a dialogue with the Democratic Republic of Congo President, Felix Tshisekedi.

The call for direct talks between the rebel movement and the DR Congo government was contained in a press statement issued yesterday, Tuesday, August 16, 2022, and comes just hours after the resumption of hostilities between the M23 and government troops yesterday morning in Tanda, Mukarange, and Muhimbira in Rutshuru territory of North Kivu.

“Our forces have received instructions to repel these attacks by the enemy to protect the civilian populations and their belongings,” the M23 declared.

On its part, the DR Congo national army, FARDC, also confirms that three of its positions had been attacked by the M23 rebels in the same zones of Rutshuru territory of North Kivu.


These clashes have provoked a new wave of displacements. Yesterday morning, the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in DR Congo, MONUSCO, reported that Moroccan Blue Helmets had given medical assistance to some of the displaced persons from Rangira and Matebe villages.

The M23 has, for the past two months, been holding Bunagana, an important commercial and transit centre where the Congolese government raises money by way of customs duty. M23 combatants also occupy localities neighbouring Bunagana.

Meanwhile, according to the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, who recently visited DR Congo and Rwanda, direct exchanges between Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, accused of supporting the M23, are being awaited.

DR Congo, however, says it does not intend to hold direct talks with the M23 rebels, whom it describes as terrorists.


Support Our Journalism

There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.

To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.

Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.

Donate Here

Of course, we want our exclusive stories to reach as many people as possible and would appreciate it if you republish them. We only ask that you properly attribute to HumAngle, generally including the author's name, a link to the publication and a line of acknowledgement. Contact us for enquiries or requests.

Contact Us

Chief Bisong Etahoben

Chief Bisong Etahoben is a Cameroonian investigative journalist and traditional ruler. He writes for international media and has participated in several transnational investigations. Etahoben won the first-ever Cameroon Investigative Journalist Award in 1992. He serves as a member of a number of international investigative journalism professional bodies including the Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR). He is HumAngle's Francophone and Central Africa editor.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Translate »