M23 rebels claim the death of North Kivu governor Peter Chirimwami. The announcement comes amid escalating conflict, causing thousands to flee Goma. M23 insists on its right to self-defense against perceived threats from international organizations, citing discrimination against Congolese Tutsis as a reason for its actions.
The M23 rebel faction has announced the death of Major General Peter Chirimwami, the governor of the North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the battlefield. M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka stated, “The FDLR Commander-in-Chief, General Chirimwami is dead. He was killed in Kasengezi while visiting the front lines to have his photo taken.” The FDLR is an integral part of the Congolese armed forces coalition.
Kanyuka further emphasized M23’s commitment to exercising its “full right to legitimate self-defense” against perceived threats from the United Nations or the South African Development Community (SADC). He urged these organizations to distance themselves from groups he termed “genocidal” that oppose the M23. These developments follow escalating confrontations between M23 and government forces, resulting in thousands of residents fleeing Goma, North Kivu’s capital.
The resurgence of M23 since its renewed insurgency in 2022 marks a critical phase in the ongoing conflict within the mineral-rich eastern Congo. The Congolese government and others have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 group, although Rwanda has consistently refuted such claims. M23 maintains that it advocates for the rights of minority Congolese Tutsis, alleging discrimination due to their ethnic ties to Rwanda’s Tutsi population.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been embroiled in conflict fueled by various rebel groups, including M23, which has been active since 2022. The tensions have primarily affected the eastern provinces, particularly North Kivu, renowned for its mineral wealth. Historically, M23 has been associated with Rwanda, leading to accusations of foreign interference in Congolese affairs, with M23 asserting its legitimacy is based on defending the rights of ethnic Tutsis within Congo against oppression.
The announcement of General Chirimwami’s death by the M23 rebel group highlights the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the escalating violence in North Kivu. The M23’s claim of self-defense against international bodies and its insistence on representing minority interests reflects the complex dynamics of ethnic tensions in the region. This situation continues to prompt significant humanitarian concerns, as evidenced by the mass displacement of civilians following recent clashes.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
