Fighting has resumed between the Congolese government and the M23 Rebel group despite an earlier ceasefire deal negotiated by former president Uhuru Kenyatta, which was to start today 6 pm.
The DRC government now says they are not open to any talks with the rebel group after they rejected the laying down of arms deal with the government.
Fighting is ongoing in the west of M23’s territory, around Chumba, Swagara, and Bwiza with DRC Military sources revealing they are “reinforcing, bringing in more fighters, more weapons”.
DRC’s army has struggled to stop the M23’s advance toward Goma and has sought the help of a joint East African Community Force – already deployed to the country.
DRC accuses Rwanda of backing the M23, though Rwanda denies this. The United Nations in August said it had “solid evidence” that Rwandan troops had been fighting alongside the M23; the United States and European Union have called on Rwanda to stop backing the group.
