The M23 rebel group has taken control of the town of Kalembe in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, further extending their presence in the region. This development was confirmed by local officials and a former lawmaker on Monday, as the group has been active in the area since 2022.
The Congolese government and the United Nations have accused neighboring Rwanda of providing support to the M23 group, including military resources. Rwanda has denied these allegations, stating that it has taken defensive measures in response to the ongoing conflict.
Reports indicate that the rebels had been stationed approximately 10 kilometers from Kalembe for nearly eight months before launching an offensive on Sunday morning, resulting in the capture of the town from Congolese armed forces and the Wazalendo alliance, which is aligned with the government. Although civilians were not directly targeted during the conflict, many residents chose to relocate to the nearby town of Pinga for safety following the attack.
The Congolese military has not yet issued a statement regarding the situation. Former lawmaker Juvenal Munobo also confirmed the M23’s control over Kalembe and noted the group’s potential interest in the region’s gold mines. The United Nations has previously reported that the M23 has been generating significant income through the illegal smuggling of minerals from territories under their control.
Munobo suggested that the recent actions of M23 may be an effort to exert pressure ahead of negotiations between Congo and Rwanda, scheduled to occur in Luanda, Angola. The ongoing conflict has contributed to a humanitarian crisis in North Kivu province, where approximately 2.6 million people have been displaced, according to the latest figures from the United Nations.
