The Government of North Kivu asks the population not to be one more obstacle in the conflict with the M23

MADRID, 1 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Military Governor of North Kivu, the Congolese province where the rebel group March 23 Movement (M23) has reportedly been attacking Army positions since 2021, has asked the local population "not to constitute an obstacle" in the face of the insecurity situation that crosses the country, after the mobilizations registered in the last two days against Rwanda.

In an official statement made public this Monday, he has asked that there be no obstacles to the measures put in place against foreign aggression in the territory of Rutshuru, a town near the border with Rwanda where intense fighting is taking place between the Army and the M23 terrorists, according to the local newspaper 'Politico'.

The rallies have taken place in the city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu, to position themselves against the neighboring country's support for the rebel group, which has precipitated the expulsion of its ambassador from Congolese territory in recent days.

According to the local press, the protesters have come to storm the entrance barrier to Rwanda, for which General Constant Ndima has asked the population for "comprehensive vigilance", to remain united, remain calm and allow themselves to be protected by the forces defense and security.

"Once again, the military governor of the province of North Kivu asks the population to avoid becoming an obstacle to the actions carried out to defend the threatened integrity of our territory and guarantee the protection of the populations and their goods", he expressed in the letter.

Thus, he has urged citizens to "refrain from organizing popular demonstrations likely to favor the infiltration of the enemy" and avoid all kinds of "useless" inter-community conflicts.

In the last week, the African Union has expressed its deep concern" about the situation that the country is going through after making progress by the M23 group.

The M23 has been accused since November 2021 of carrying out attacks against Army positions in North Kivu, despite the fact that the Congolese authorities and the M23 signed a peace agreement in December 2013 after the combats registered since 2012 with the Army, which was supported by United Nations troops.

Relations between the DRC and Rwanda have gone through moments of crisis since the massive arrival in eastern DRC of Rwandan Hutus accused of having massacred the Tutsis during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. After a certain stage of diplomatic relaxation, the conflict gained intensity again in May, when the Congolese government summoned the Rwandan ambassador to denounce the country's alleged support for the M23.