DR. Congo: Busanza border falls to M23 with no resistance

By VOM News Team

It was another grim day for the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) yesterday after losing yet another strategic border to rebel group M23 in one year.

The M23 rebels advanced on Busanza border only to find majority of the FARDC forces had abandoned their positions as well as key barracks.

The rebel group have managed to gain strategic control of areas including Rutezo, Humure, Kitagoma and Kabaya.

Gun fights and shelling from earlier in the week saw hundreds of Congolese fleeing into Uganda, weeks after many of them had returned back home, after nearly six months of camping in Kisoro’s Nyakabande holding camp.

The cycle of asylum seekers, moving back and forth continues to perturb local authorities.

More than 3000 Congolese returned back to DR. Congo via Bunagana while others continue to flock into Kisoro via Busanza.

A total of three primary Schools have since been closed to accommodate the influx of refugees.

Mabuyemeru, Gitovu and Muhaguzi primary schools have since asked their learners to remain home indefinitely to allow the Congolese finding a resting ground.

Mayor of Mupaka Town Council Emmanuel Ndekezi says a number of villages including Busigi, Rurangara, Bugara, Butunga and Rubona have been negatively affected.

Kisoro Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Shafiq Sekandi says the Government is committed to supporting the Congolese who are fleeing Political insecurity.

Sekandi insists that the holding camp that previously hosted up to 30,000 Congolese in the last six months will be done graded by 31^st of October 2022

He says humanitarian agencies need to come on board to assist Kisoro.