M23 rebels rampage, DR Congo continues to fall into instability

On January 5, M23 rebels took control of the town of Masisi in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Since 2021, M23 rebels have controlled large areas in eastern DRC, displacing hundreds of thousands of people. (Source: belganewsagency.eu)

This is the second town, after nearby Katale, to be captured by the M23 group in just two days in North Kivu province. Since 2021, the M23 rebels have controlled large areas of eastern DR Congo, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.

Angola has been leading efforts to mediate the conflict, aiming to host talks between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. However, those talks collapsed last month, plunging the region further into turmoil.

The Congolese government has not yet made an official response to the loss of the town, nor is there any information on the number of people killed in the fighting between M23 and the army and pro-government militias.

Masisi, with a population of about 40,000 people, is located about 80km north of the capital Goma of North Kivu province and was briefly occupied by M23 in 2012.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/phien-quan-m23-hoa-nh-ha-nh-chdc-congo-tiep-tuc-roi-va-o-bat-on-299904.html