Over 3000 Congolese refugees have crossed to Rukundo and Nyarubuye sub-county in Kisoro district following the resumption of heavy fighting between The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels and Congolese government (FARDC) troops, which has extended to Busanza grouping in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province.
Fresh fighting broke out on Saturday and intensified on Sunday and Monday in Mungo, Kabingo, and Musezero villages. Rebels are targeting to capture the Uganda-DR Congo border of Busanza to add it to Bunagana border.
On Sunday, FARDC soldiers pushed the rebels from Musezero hill, which the rebels are fighting to re-capture. The fighting has forced more than 3000 civilians to flee to Kisoro, according to the Resident District Commissioner, Hajji Shfique Ssekandi.
He explains that the refugees are currently camping under trees and verandahs of Ugandan residences. According to Ssekandi, the situation has created fresh tension at the border. He says that the District Security Committee in conjunction with stakeholders from the Office of the Prime Minister and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees are scheduled to meet today to forge ways of removing the refugees near the border.
Fighting between M23 rebels and FARDC troops started in March this year. M23 rebels have occupied the Uganda-Congo border of Bunagana since June 13, 2022. M23 rebels claim to be fighting the DR Congo government because of bad governance. The resolution by East African heads of state to deploy soldiers in DR Congo to eliminate rebels and militia groups including M23 is yet to yield positive results.
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