According to the spokesperson for the provincial governor, Lieutenant Colonel Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko, rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23), supported by Rwanda, launched two mortar rounds on Friday against FARDC forward positions in Kibumba, in violation of the ceasefire.

Ndjike Kaiko warned that the army reserves the right to retaliate in case of exaggerated provocation, and recalled that the attack occurred less than 48 hours after another one in the vicinity of Kirolirwe, west of Goma, in the province of Masisi.

The shelling caused the suspension of traffic on the only available route between the provincial capital and the northern reach, particularly the towns of Butembo, Beni, Kanyabayonga, Kayna, Kibumba and Lubero, the officer explained.

M23 Spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka, in turn, accused the Government of intensifying attacks using heavy weapons and shelling in areas that the rebels had handed over to East African Community (EAC) forces. He stated that “the M23 is defending itself,” without giving further details.

Violent fighting between the coalition of local armed groups known as Wazalendo and the M23 rebels in some areas of the Masisi territory has been reported in recent days.

According to local sources, the coalition of local armed groups occupied Kitshanga after a brief confrontation with the M23 in the area.

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