Tragic Loss of Military Governor in North Kivu
In a tragic turn of events, General Peter Cirimwami, the military governor of North Kivu, was fatally shot by a sniper from the Rwandan army while rallying troops alongside the commander of the 34th military region. The spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), Army General Sylvain Ekenge, revealed that this marked the 25th attempt on General Cirimwami’s life. During the attack, one of his bodyguards lost his life, while two others sustained injuries but are now in stable condition.
Frontline Struggles in RDC
Amidst escalating tensions, the FARDC, supported by MONUSCO and the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) troops, continue to engage in fierce battles against Rwandan forces and the M23 rebel group in and around Goma. General Ekenge emphasized the resolve of the FARDC in repelling these hostile forces, stating unequivocally, “We will not allow them to breach Goma’s defenses.”
Across the border in the neighboring province of South Kivu, the M23 attempted an offensive towards Nyabibwe, approximately 100 kilometers from Goma, only to be halted in their tracks. The general assured that ongoing operations are in place to maintain control and security in the region.
Response to the 48-Hour Ultimatum
In light of the M23’s 48-hour ultimatum to the FARDC, General Ekenge issued a bold declaration, “The war begins now.” This statement underscores the gravity of the situation as tensions continue to mount in the conflict-ridden region.
Context of the Crisis
The Eastern region of the DRC remains a powder keg of violence, with clashes involving the FARDC, local militias, and international forces against the M23 rebels and the Rwandan army. These ongoing hostilities exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians and plunging the region into further chaos and instability.
In the face of these tumultuous events, the fate of North Kivu hangs in the balance, as the FARDC and their allies stand firm against external threats and internal strife, battling not just for control of territory, but for the very future of the region and its people.