Unrest between FARDC and M23 in Masisi: Displacement of Civilians in Masisi-Center and Surroundings
A relative calm prevails on the morning of this Saturday, January 4, 2025, on almost all combat lines in the Masisi territory (North Kivu). This comes after over 48 hours of intense clashes between the elements of the M23/RDF coalition and the army supported by local fighters known as “wazalendo” in at least three groupings of this territory including Bashali Mokoto, Buabo, and Muphuni Shanga. Friday night, M23 rebels took control of the locality of Katale, about ten kilometers from Masisi center, but loyalist forces in Lushebere are attempting to push back the offensive. According to provincial deputy Alexis Bahunga, the towns of Lushebere and Masisi center are emptying of their residents. “The situation this morning is such that the enemy, M23, has taken control of the locality of Katale since last night and has set up a barrier at Kitsule, 4 km from Katale. The FARDC and wazalendo are in Lushebere, 6 km from Masisi center. The population of Masisi center, Lushebere, and all surrounding areas are fleeing to various destinations,” stated provincial deputy Alexis Bahunga, elected from Masisi. He urges the Congolese government to reinforce the FARDC and wazalendo with logistics to confront the M23 advance in this mountainous area. “In the area, the humanitarian situation remains increasingly catastrophic. That’s why we are asking the Kinshasa government to provide the FARDC with logistical means to definitively defeat the enemy. We will practically need very appropriate logistics, given that Masisi is a mountainous area, so that the enemy is routed and the population regains its peace,” added deputy Bahunga. According to the rapporteur of the civil society of Masisi, Telesphore Mitondeke, the locality of Katale was considered the last barrier for loyalist forces before reaching the capital of the Masisi territory. He also calls on the central government for an urgent response. “Katale is the last barrier to the capital of the Masisi territory. It is a town located about 12 km from the capital of the territory. A widespread psychosis is spreading among the population of Masisi center. All activities are paralyzed. The situation remains very concerning. We are going from bad to worse. An adequate and urgent response proportional to the degree of the enemy’s whims is needed to stop the barbarism of the aggressors. The situation is very dramatic in the region,” said Telesphore Mitondeke, a member of the citizen structure of Masisi. On the Kahira side, the situation is relatively calm. “This morning, there were no clashes in Kahira but on the Bweremana side, there were bomb and mortar fire from the enemy,” a security source reported. Violent clashes erupted on Friday morning between the elements of the M23/RDF coalition and local fighters “Wazalendo” on several hills overlooking the Bweremana agglomeration in the Masisi territory. According to local civil society, M23 elements attacked advanced positions of the Wazalendo on the hills of Ndumba, Kashingamutwe, Kabase, and surrounding areas. Faced with the firepower of loyalist forces, M23 terrorists dropped bombs on the city of Bweremana. The provisional toll provided by local civil society reported at least two dead and six injured among civilians. Military authorities have not yet commented on the developments of these 72 hours on the combat lines in the Masisi territory. Jonathan Kombi, in Goma.
Humanizing Touch: A Personal Perspective
As I sit down to write about the unrest between the FARDC and M23 in Masisi, my mind drifts back to a time when my family faced displacement due to conflict in our own region. The fear, uncertainty, and chaos that come with such situations are unimaginable unless experienced firsthand. The stories of those fleeing their homes in Masisi-Center and surrounding areas hit close to home, reminding me of the importance of peace and stability in our lives. It’s easy to detach from the news, but behind every statistic, there are real people with hopes, dreams, and families just like ours, trying to survive in the midst of turmoil.
Witness Accounts and Expert Commentary
Witnesses on the ground have reported the escalating violence between the M23/RDF coalition and the local fighters known as “wazalendo,” painting a grim picture of the situation in Masisi. Provincial deputy Alexis Bahunga’s call for government support to bolster the FARDC and wazalendo in logistics highlights the urgent need for intervention to protect civilians and restore peace in the region. Telesphore Mitondeke’s plea for swift action from the central government underscores the severity of the crisis and the immediate threat faced by residents of Masisi. The firsthand reports of clashes, casualties, and the displacement of civilians serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict in the region.
Expert Quote and Future Outlook
In these uncertain times, the words of Telesphore Mitondeke resonate deeply: “The situation is very dramatic in the region.” As the conflict escalates and the humanitarian crisis worsens, it is imperative for all stakeholders to come together and find a peaceful resolution to prevent further loss of life and suffering. The urgent need for logistical support for the FARDC and wazalendo, as highlighted by deputy Bahunga, underscores the importance of swift action to address the growing threat posed by the M23 in the mountainous terrain of Masisi. As the situation continues to unfold, the eyes of the world remain on Masisi, hoping for a swift end to the violence and a return to normalcy for the displaced civilians and residents of the region.