DRC- The M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have captured Nyabibwe, a mineral rich town in the Eastern Province of South Kivu, despite declaration of ceasefire.
The Alliance Fleuve Congo, a rebel alliance that includes M23, had declared a unilateral ceasefire beginning this due to humanitarian difficulties after the rebels took control last week of the City of Goma, the capital of neighboring North Kivu state.
However, intense fighting erupted between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army on Wednesday this week and captured Nyabibwe town which is located between Goma and Bukavu, which is the Provincial capital of South Kivu.
An official from Kalehe territory in South Kivu told journalists which is based in the nation’s capital that Nyabibwe town was seized by the M23 rebels
Democratic Republic of Congo Minister for Foreign Ms Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said that concrete action is required, stressing that it must be supported by evidence to show the ceasefire is not a cosmetic fix and wondered why the M23 was still fighting to capture more territory.
The World Health Organization reported that more than 900 people have been killed in Goma in the last two weeks as a result of fighting between the rebels and government forces where at least 20 peacekeepers have been killed, 14 of whom were South Africans.
The conflict has forced thousands to flee after the displaced, with many fleeing to neighboring Rwanda, including UN and World Bank staff.
Meanwhile Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has ordered the commander of the Malawi Defense Forces (MDF) to start preparing for the withdrawal of Malawian troops serving as peacekeepers in the eastern Congo.
A statement said the withdrawal is to honor the declaration of a ceasefire by warring parties in Congo and to pave the way for their planned negotiations toward lasting peace that will bring stability to the region.
Malawi contributes peacekeeping troops to Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the southern African regional bloc, SADC and the country recently lost three soldiers in Goma during fighting with M23 rebels.
Additional Reporting from Associated Press
