The Kenya Defense Forces deployed 900 troops to Congo’s volatile east as part of a joint military force from the East African Community (EAC). The first batch of the KDF EAC JMF contingent arrived in Goma in 2 C-27J Spartan transport aircrafts on Saturday 12th. This batch, an expeditionary force drawn from the battle hardy 5th Battalion, was warmly welcomed by Congolese officials. Its intelligence units will start conducting long range surveillance and reconnaissance operations in Kibumba, Kibati, Nyiragongo, and all the way up to Buhumba. This is a sector that lies on the border with Rwanda. Since their arrival in Goma, fighting between Government troops and the March-23 Rebel Movement has raged on for 3 consecutive days with the rebels advancing up-to approximately 20 kilometers towards Goma. The Kenya Defense Forces are currently based in Goma City at the border with the Rwanda. The AOR remains a deadly flashpoint and a direct contact with the rebels will have very significant ramifications on regional security and diplomatic weather.
Combat between the DRC Military (FARDC) and the M23 Rebels ranged on throughout Monday with the rebels being pushed out of Kibumba, a strategic area of the particular sector, as well as Rugari and Tongo villages outside Goma. M23 Rebel militia men were outgunned by the FARDC infantry and artillery units on Monday forcing them to retreat to Virunga Park.
FARDC also stopped an M23 Militia advance towards Masisi. Rebel militia men had targeted villages in Rutshuru to strengthen outflanking maneuvers. Areas exploited by M23 include Mwaro, Kalengera and Tongo outside Virunga Park.
On Tuesday 15th of November 2022, M23 Rebels sent a scouting team to Kanyamahoro area of Kibumba. The scouts were spotted by FARDC Fighting patrols and were engaged leading to armed contact.
The weather remained bad with heavy rains in the morning around Nyiragongo volcano mountain area approximately 20 kilometers outside Goma. The rebels’ are still camped outside the particular AOR and contact between them and FARDC continues as of 1130hrs.
Displacement of civilians continues in the sector with some of those affected entering Rwanda for refuge.
Kenya’s Former President, Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled to have a peace effort meeting in Goma today despite the city being under threat of the rebels.
