In the village of Turunga, on the border with the city of Goma, fighting resumed on Thursday morning and, according to reports from local sources, shots from heavy weapons and infantry can be heard.
In Kalangala, located at least six kilometers from Nyabibwe, in the Kalehe territory, in South Kivu, there are also clashes with rebels, who came mainly from Mukwidja.
South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki has banned all navigation on Lake Kivu in the face of the worrying security situation in the province, Radio Okapi reported. The measure applies to all vessels, whether used for fishing or transporting people or goods and is intended to protect the population and ensure security on the lake in the face of the threat of the M23.
The measure seeks to prevent any suspected case of infiltration between the cities of Bukavu and Goma via boats, the authority said, determining that offenders will be arrested and severely fined.
However, shipowners operating on Lake Kivu from the city of Bukavu in South Kivu had already suspended all navigation since January 27th following the deterioration of the situation in North Kivu.
President Félix Tshisekedi addressed the nation and called for a firm and disciplined commitment to win the confrontation against the M23 and Rwanda, whom he considered the main aggressor. “We will win this war with our unity, courage, and sense of responsibility, and not with blind violence and anarchy,” he said.
jrr/llp/mem/kmg