Humanitarian Crisis in Nord-Kivu Deepens After M23 Seizes Masisi-Centre
The humanitarian situation in the Masisi territory of Nord-Kivu has taken a turn for the worse following the resurgence of attacks by rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23), backed by Rwanda. The clashes between these rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have escalated in recent weeks, plunging the population into extreme distress. Many residents are enduring difficult conditions due to the repeated violence.
Witness accounts gathered by ACTUALITE.CD in Masisi paint a grim picture, with some civilians spending nights under the open sky to escape the fighting. Most are fleeing towards Goma and the Walikale territory, while others are even crossing over to the neighboring province of Sud-Kivu.
Population Displacement Amidst Conflict
The mass displacement of people is occurring under harsh conditions due to the ongoing combat. The civil society highlights that “all exit corridors for population displacement are under humanitarian distress,” leaving civilians vulnerable to various abuses by M23 rebels.
“The humanitarian situation is currently in a critical state. Therefore, an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Sake, which was home to thousands of displaced families, unfortunately, all these populations have been largely forced to move from the city of Sake to Goma,” stated Télesphore Mitondeke, spokesperson for the civil society coordination in Masisi.
He emphasized the urgent need for the Congolese government and the international community to take responsibility and provide assistance to the suffering population.
Calls for Government Intervention
Alexis Baunga, a provincial elected deputy from the Masisi territory, confirmed the plight of the population, noting that all villages have been emptied as residents flee the sounds of bombs and gunfire. He urged the Congolese government to enhance the logistical capabilities of the armed forces on the frontlines.
“This situation has plunged the territory into a grave humanitarian catastrophe as the population has deserted all villages and scattered to various destinations. That is why we urge the government to consider holistic measures to restore state authority across the entire national territory,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, clashes persisted on Sunday, particularly in the Mupfunyi Shanga groupement, where government forces resisted the M23 rebels’ assaults as they sought to advance towards Bweremana and establish a route to Sud-Kivu. The Ndumba hill witnessed heavy artillery bombardments, further worsening the plight of civilians trapped in the conflict zone.
Reports have emerged of abuses and arrests of youth in the region following the capture of Masisi centre by the rebels. Accused of belonging to the wazalendo groups, these young individuals had to flee to evade the rebels’ crackdown, underscoring the pervasive fear prevailing in the area.
Josué Mutanava, in Goma