On Monday, June 30, residents of Bwito Chiefdom in Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu Province, experienced a day far from celebratory as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) marked 65 years of independence.
Heavy fighting broke out at dawn between AFC/M23 rebels and Wazalendo fighters under the CMC coalition (Collective of Movements for Change). Reports from the area indicate that the clashes occurred in Munguli, within the Kihondo groupement, and Kikuro, in the Tongo groupement.
The sound of heavy and light weapons was heard starting at 6 a.m. local time. This Monday’s clashes followed a weekend also marked by intense fighting between the rival forces. On Saturday and Sunday, intense confrontations were reported in Birambizo and Karambi (in the Bukombo groupement), as well as parts of Kihondo.
According to local sources, these clashes forced hundreds of civilians to flee their homes. On Sunday alone, at least six houses were burned in Karambi town and surrounding areas, according to Radio Okapi.
The ongoing conflict, which has lasted for over four weeks, has affected four groupements in the Bwito Chiefdom: Bambo, Tongo, Bukombo, and Kihondo. This violence has triggered mass displacement, with hundreds of residents seeking refuge in Bashali-Mukoto, others temporarily sheltering in Bukombo, or hiding in the nearby bushes.
