Fragile Peace Shattered: Renewed Fighting in eastern Congo Displaces hundreds
Bugarama, Rwanda – just one day after a hopeful peace agreement was signed in Washington D.C., eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) erupted in renewed violence on Friday, forcing hundreds of civilians to seek refuge across the border in Rwanda. the fighting underscores the deeply entrenched instability plaguing the resource-rich region,a conflict zone for three decades.
Clashes centered around the strategically vital border town of Kamanyola, where the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi converge. The M23 rebel group, now in control of Kamanyola, engaged in fierce battles with the Congolese army, which is receiving notable support from Burundian troops.
An AFP journalist reporting from Bugarama, Rwanda – approximately 1.3 miles from the fighting – described detonations that shook buildings throughout the morning. The violence has sparked a fresh wave of displacement, with civilians fleeing their homes in search of safety.
“The bombs were exploding above the houses,” recounted Immaculee Antoinette, a resident of Ruhumba, near Kamanyola. “We were asked to remain locked inside our houses, but that seemed impractical.”
The M23 has accused the Burundian army of indiscriminate shelling into DRC territory. A Burundian military source, speaking anonymously, confirmed the deployment of reinforcements, stating they were acting to prevent being overrun by M23 fighters and their alleged Rwandan backers.
“The fighting is intensifying,” the source warned. “There is a real risk the situation escalates. This is a red line for Burundi.” The source further emphasized that Burundi would not tolerate the M23, along with its alleged Rwandan support, advancing towards Uvira, a key city less than 20 miles from the Burundian border.
The latest outbreak of violence casts a long shadow over Thursday
