Fighters from the M23 rebel movement have captured a strategic mining settlement in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local sources reported on Sunday.
Residents told that the group seized Lumbishi, a mineral-rich site in the South Kivu region, at approximately 15:30 GMT on Saturday. The rebels were reportedly advancing toward Numbi and Shanje, two additional locations in the Kalehe territory.
“Since this morning, there has been fighting against the enemy in Kalehe,” a security source, speaking anonymously, confirmed on Sunday.
Ongoing Conflict and Displacements
The M23, also known as the “Movement of March 23,” has been accused of receiving support from Kigali and Rwandan troops, allegations that Rwanda denies. Since 2021, the group has occupied significant portions of the mineral-rich eastern DRC, intensifying tensions in the region.
The fighting has displaced at least 237,000 people since the start of January, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Efforts to broker peace have faltered, with a summit planned for December 15, 2024, canceled due to disagreements between the DRC government and M23 over the terms of negotiations.
The ongoing conflict underscores the persistent instability in the DRC’s east, fueled by competition for control over its vast natural resources.