M23 rebels seize key town of Masisi as they advance into eastern DRC | Conflict news

Masisi is located in a rich mountainous location that provides access to the provincial capital of Goma.

Fighters of the M23 rebel movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo have seized control of a strategic town in the east of the Central African country, adding to recent gains made by the armed group in the region, local politicians said.

Alexis Bahunga, a member of the regional parliament, told Reuters news agency on Sunday that the group took control of the town of Masisi and the local administrative center, about 80 kilometers from the main city of Goma, on Saturday.

He added, “The government will take the necessary measures to restore state authority over the entire territory.”

Jean-Pierre Ayobangira Safari, another lawmaker, said Masisi was being detained “at the moment.”

Cornel Nanga, leader of the anti-government Congo River Alliance, which includes M23, said rebel forces had reached central Masisi by mid-afternoon on Saturday.

Local sources reported that thousands were displaced as a result of the fighting and are now seeking shelter in neighboring areas including Goma, which already hosts four million displaced people, Al Jazeera’s Alan Oyekani said.

“The security situation remains very tense in Masisi city a day after the rebels managed to take control of this strategic area, which is the second largest area (captured) from government forces,” he said from Goma.

He added, “President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi still adheres to his position that there will not be any direct dialogue (with the group).”

The United Nations says nearly a million people fled their homes last year due to the conflict.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting the March 23 Movement, which Kigali rejects. Angolan-brokered talks between the presidents of the two countries It was abruptly canceled in mid-December Due to disagreements over the terms of the proposed peace agreement.

M23, which came out more than a decade ago and has been He launched deadly attacks for yearsand is primarily based in the resource-rich North Kivu province.

Its leaders mainly belong to the Tutsi ethnic group, who say one of their goals is to defend themselves against Hutu-led forces who fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide.

Their seizure of vast tracts of territory in eastern DRC and years of armed attacks have created chaos The humanitarian crisis affecting millions.

Masisi, with an estimated population of about 40,000 people, is the administrative capital of the Masisi region, and is rich in agriculture, livestock and minerals.

Its seizure represents a major gain for the M23 movement and raises government concerns about the potential threat to nearby political and commercial centers such as Goma and Bukavu.