“Since 8 a.m. local time, witnesses say they have heard detonations of heavy and light weapons, particularly on the Sake axis, Masisi territory and on the Kanyamahoro-Kibumba axis, in Nyiragongo territory. These detonations that continue on this axis exacerbate the panic in the city of Goma. As for Sake, several sources indicate that the city, including the village of Mubambiro, was occupied by M23 rebels until Friday morning” Radio Okapi – ‘Clashes between FARDC and M23 continue on the Masisi and Nyiragongo fronts in North Kivu’ 24.01.2025).
Today the Movement of March 23 (M23) are advancing in the South Kivu and North Kivu provinces. They are taking more territories and are able to stabilize the frontlines. This proxy-militia are now aiming at taking over Goma. That is signalling their strength. On the other front-line would go towards Lubero and later take Butembo.
The Wazalendo and FARDC needs to be restructured and strengthened as we speak. This is usage of M23 to ensure territories, which it will control and have mineral resources as a monopoly to transfer the illicit trade through Rwanda. That’s why they are so aggressive and trying to weaken the state.
They are now forging ahead and trying to act with supremacy in the regions. That is what the M23/AFC are doing here. These proxy-militants are now surging and are weakening the control of Kinshasa. The leaders of Kigali and the profiteers are surely giddy about this. Since they have advances far in the last few days. The insurgency is causing havoc and insecurity. Therefore, the civilians are in the crossfire to ensure the profits for outsiders.
The Kivu Provinces are hurting. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is feeling the pinch and the conflict that is transpiring for the mineral rich provinces. That’s why the M23/AFC are there in the first place.
This is really damaging the DRC. The Kivu Provinces are really in the middle of it and Kinshasa needs to strengthen their army. They need more support and logistical support to ensure their capabilities to secure the borders. They need to be as strong, so neighbours and former advisories cannot attack the nation again. This isn’t new and the provinces are hurting by proxies. It is just devastating, and they are doing it because it is money in the illicit trade, which benefits the proxy militia. Peace.
MinBane 