Renewed Conflict Erupts in North Kivu: Army vs M23 Rebels

Renewed fighting erupted in North Kivu, DR Congo, between the army and M23 rebels, with clashes reported around Kirumba and Kikuvo. The conflict has displaced over 1.7 million people. Accusations of Rwanda backing M23 persist, and recent ceasefire agreements have failed to hold.

Renewed fighting between the Democratic Republic of Congo's army and M23 rebels erupted on Sunday near the densely populated town of Kirumba in North Kivu province, according to statements from both the army and M23. The rebels have been waging an insurgency in this region.

M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma indicated that government forces attacked several rebel positions around Kirumba early Sunday morning, and fighting continued throughout the day. Concurrently, the Congolese army reported clashes with M23 in the nearby village of Kikuvo.

Since 2022, the Tutsi-led M23 has renewed its insurgency in the increasingly volatile east of Congo. Authorities in Congo, the United Nations, the United States, and other Western governments have accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim Rwanda denies. Despite multiple ceasefire agreements, including the latest one set to start on August 4, conflict persists, driving more than 1.7 million people from their homes in North Kivu.

(With inputs from agencies.)