Violence continues to escalate in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where M23 rebels, reportedly backed by the Rwandan military according to the UN, are engaged in fierce battles with the Congolese army, supported by the pro-government Wazalendo militias. In recent days, the intensity of the fighting has increased, leading to significant displacement of populations, particularly on Friday, May 31, when clashes were especially severe along two key fronts.
Firstly, in the town of Sake, located about 27 kilometers from Goma, fighting persisted for the second consecutive day in the surrounding hills, prompting the evacuation of residents. The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) stated that they were responding to attacks by the M23.
The previous day’s confrontations resulted in at least 13 South African soldiers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force being injured and one killed. Logistically, two of the force’s armored vehicles were damaged, as reported by the South African army.
On the same front, FARDC has launched an offensive in the vicinity of Bweremana, an area approximately 50 kilometers from Goma. Intense battles were reported on two strategic hills overlooking Bweremana and Minova. Local sources identified these as the Ndumba and Kashungamutwe hills, situated 2 and 5 kilometers from Bweremana, respectively.
Another front has emerged around the rural commune of Kanyabayonga, which remains under the control of the Congolese army. This area, about 150 kilometers from Goma, hosts tens of thousands of displaced people. Residents are increasingly worried about the movements of the M23, who are reportedly positioned about ten kilometers south of Kanyabayonga.
Meanwhile, peace processes between Kinshasa and Kigali have stalled, further complicating the situation and offering little hope for an immediate resolution to the conflict.