The fall of Goma in the early hours of Monday morning followed fierce fighting between the rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) that lasted for several days.
“In the first half of 2024 alone, more than 150 attacks with explosive weapons were carried out, resulting in the death of at least 100 civilians and the injury of some 200 others. We call on both parties to immediately cease attacks on civilians and to stop using explosive weapons with a wide impact area in populated areas,” the report stated.
According to Major General Sylvain Ekenge, the Spokesperson for the DRC army, Kabundi is accused of transmitting confidential documents, including military travel authorizations and police route sheets, via WhatsApp to civilian Emmanuel Zungize Wakagara. Kabundi had previously been arrested in Goma for possessing compromising documents.
Authorities, led by the Minister of Human Rights, Chantal Chambu Mwavita, explained that the victims, who were in displacement camps, succumbed to diseases like cholera, while others died of hunger.
On Sunday evening, M23-AFC rebels, through their political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, released a statement accusing FARDC and its allies of using fighter jets to launch assaults on M23 positions in Lubero territory, with reconnaissance missions extending to Rutshuru territory.
The clashes reportedly began around 5:00 AM, with M23's political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, confirming the intense fighting by 9:30 AM. In his statement, Kanyuka claimed that the government forces and their coalition had initiated the assault, and the M23 fighters were defending themselves.
