In a statement released on Saturday night by Lawrence Kanyuka, the rebels’ spokesperson, M23 argues that the presence of FARDC soldiers in Goma is worsening the social and humanitarian crisis in the city and its surrounding areas, resulting in increased suffering for the citizens, constitutes a flagrant violation of human rights.
M23 statement 1
The
March 23 Movement (M23) has given Armed Forces of Democratic Republic
of Congo (FARDC) soldiers an ultimatum of 48 hours to lay down weapons.
In a
statement released on Saturday night by Lawrence Kanyuka, the rebels’
spokesperson, M23 argues that the presence of FARDC soldiers in Goma is
worsening the social and humanitarian crisis in the city and its surrounding
areas, resulting in increased suffering for the citizens, which constitutes a
flagrant violation of human rights.
Kanyuka says that once they abide by the
ultimatum, M23 has no grievance against them.
Fighting
that is happening about 20 kilometres from Goma has led to massive displacement
of locals to the city and paralyzed businesses and other services in
the area. The area is also experiencing darkness after fighting led to damaging
of power lines supplying the city.
On Thursday Major General Peter
Cirimwami Nkuba, military governor of North Kivu was shot and killed while on
the front. Between Friday and Saturday, nine South African soldiers were
also shot and killed while battling the rebels.
Kanyuka
urges stakeholders involved in the critical sectors of water and electricity
supply to deploy their expertise and resources to resolve the crisis with
urgency and efficiency, alleviating the hardships endured by the civilians due
to poor governance of the Kinshasa regime.
“We
urge all institutions, agencies, and organisations responsible for the
provision of water and electricity in the city to take swift action to restore
normal access to basic social services for the benefit of the population. The
AFC/M23 underscores that access to these essential services is a fundamental
human right," he said.
He added "Furthermore, the AFC/M23
calls on all members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo
(FARDC) present in Goma and its surroundings to lay down their weapons within
48 hours. The city of Goma must never be used as a battlefield, and our
organization will not tolerate any armed group engaging in conflict against the
civilian population," Kanyuka said in a
statement.
But,
Lieutenant-colonel Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko, army spokesman in North Kivu also
released a statement downplaying M23’s demands. Ndjike asked members of the
public not to trust M23 rebels’ messages because they were aimed at sowing
panic. He also encouraged soldiers to remain motivated to defend the territorial
integrity of the DRC in general and the city of Goma in particular, adding that
it is a matter of life or death.
Meanwhile, the DR Congo government released a statement on Saturday night ordering for
recalling of her ambassador in Rwanda and the shutdown of the office in 48 hours, an indication that relations between the two countries have
increasingly deteriorated over insurgency in North Kivu province.