The AFC/M23 rebel group has accused the Congolese government forces of deploying “foreign mercenaries” in recent attacks reported on Sunday. According to M23, government troops launched assaults on civilian-populated areas of Kadasomwa and its outskirts in Kalehe territory, South Kivu province.
The Congolese army has not responded to these allegations. When contacted by the BBC, the army spokesperson did not provide any comment regarding the claims of hiring mercenaries.
Clashes between the two sides were reported on both Saturday and Sunday in several parts of South Kivu province, with reports indicating that the fighting forced many residents to flee their homes.
In a statement, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said Sunday’s attack on Kadasomwa “caused significant civilian casualties” and led to “mass displacement,” with people fleeing heavy shelling and drone strikes.
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In the past, the Congolese government was reported to have used European mercenaries, who later returned home through Rwanda after M23 captured the city of Goma. Kanyuka, accusing the new group of mercenaries of committing atrocities, warned that “this time they will not go home peacefully.”
Meanwhile, Rwanda continues to face accusations of supporting the M23 rebels, allegations the Rwandan government has consistently denied.
Heavy fighting was also reported on Saturday in Mwenga territory, South Kivu, displacing large numbers of civilians, according to Radio France Internationale (RFI). The clashes reportedly allowed M23 to seize the mountainous area of Lubumba, about 80 kilometers from the city of Uvira.
Pierre Mheshera, a local administrator in Uvira, told the BBC that Saturday’s fighting forced residents to flee from Lubumba and Kadjoka towards Uvira. He confirmed reports that M23 had captured Lubumba, claims also echoed by some Congolese media outlets. However, neither the government nor M23 has officially confirmed these developments.
Last month, both sides signed a framework for ending the conflict during peace talks in Doha, Qatar. The talks were expected to culminate in a peace agreement by August 18, but that goal was not met. Negotiations have since resumed in Doha, though sporadic fighting continues in both South and North Kivu, with each side accusing the other of violating ceasefire commitments.
