M23 continues to pose a direct threat to DR-Congo and the Great Lakes National Security. The rebel group is being supported covertly and overtly by elements of some of the neighboring countries military’s with evidence confirming direct participation in combat by these foreign military elements. Evidence of KIA of these military elements has also been confirmed.
Mass displacement of civilians is leading to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Eastern DRC. This requires urgent international intervention including direct aid to the adversely affected (women & children besides elderly persons).
While peace efforts through political engagement and diplomatic means are ongoing, de-escalation and immediate cessation of hostilities requires enforcement.
Regional States and international bodies besides some European countries have called upon the M23 rebels to stop any further aggression and advances towards the City of Goma.
Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) deployed a second batch of its troops to the volatile Eastern DRC early Wednesday 16th of November 2022. Kenya’s Military issued a stern warning to M23 Rebels and any elements supporting it. KDF warned that any attempt to attack the City of Goma will be military preempted and that any aggression on the City directly threatens the KDF & its Regional Military partners who have set up a Main Operations Base there.
FARDC deployed its Airforce today targeting M23 Rebels positions in the theater.
Army deployed more troops towards Masisi where M23 rebels have presences and reinforced defense lines at Kibati outside Goma. M23 will use Masisi front as a decoy theater; draw FARDC to the flashpoint and then escalate the pressure on Buhumba and Kibumba and break the defense lines at Kibati. The manouver is strategic and requires a military response where FARDC should target North and East Nyiragongo to outflank the enemy. Airstrikes and artillery besides MRLS fire on positions and lines of the rebel outfit can significantly weaken this maneuver and subsequently defeat it.
A MONUSCO convoy entering Kanyaruchinya was attacked by local residents. Soldiers fired in the air to disperse the distraught public (psychologically affected by the war and dire humanitarian crisis).
No fighting was reported at the Kibumba flashpoint in the morning, possibly as each side conducted recce missions. Fighting was reported in the early afternoon after rebels probed FARDC positions.
Throughout the evening of 16th November 2022, the Congolese Army was in full control of Ruhunda section outside the Kabuhunga Market Place. The army was also in control of large swathes of both Buhumba and Kabuhunga sections of the AOR with the rebels pinned on the far outskirts.
FARDC repelled multiple coordinated attacks by M23 militia men near Kabuhunga border point. The Congolese army created new outposts at Kanyamahoro and Kitotoma next to the Rwandan border demonstrating dominance in theater.
On 16th of November, FARDC shelled M23 rebels’ positions at Nyundo Hill at Buhumba area. Rebel militia men were advancing towards the hill in an attempt to create a pressure point to pin down troops operating down-hill.
At Tongo, FARDC confronted rebel militia men at Rwibiranga and Rushege areas, forcing them to fall back. The Flashpoint is approximately 1.3 kilometres from the Republic of Rwanda. FARDC deployed 2 combat helicopters in the operations in the particular AOR.
M23 Rebels continue to deploy militants to Masisi and Buhumba in an attempt to outflank FARDC with a pincer movement from the sides of Mt Nyiragongo and subsequently pin them down at Goma. FARDC responsibility is to destroy the M23 camps in the north and east of Nyiragongo sector and border with Rwanda and secure the territorial integrity of the DR-Congo. Tongo remains volatile as M23 attempt to counter attack DRC Military positions.
