On Friday, the M23 rebel group issued a seven-day ultimatum to Congolese army (FARDC) troops and Wazalendo militia fighters hiding in various parts of Walungu Territory, demanding they surrender their weapons.
Walungu, located in South Kivu Province, has seen frequent clashes between M23 and Wazalendo fighters since February this year. These groups often launch attacks in zones under M23 control.
Heavy fighting was reported starting Monday, May 5, between M23 and Wazalendo in areas such as Katogota Kamanyola, and in the hills of Rutebe, Kayange, and Luzinzi, within both Walungu and Uvira territories.
Colonel Nsabimana Mwendangabo Samuel, M23’s Civil-Military Coordination Officer, while addressing locals on Friday, gave FARDC and Wazalendo fighters hiding in Walungu a one-week deadline to surrender. If not, he warned, M23 forces would launch a relentless offensive.
He declared:
“Youth of Walungu, let me tell you one thing. We came as a trained army. Those people will be an example. We give them just one week to leave. In Nzimbila, we will capture and beat them. In Shabunda, we’ll strike them. In Kingurube and Lubira, they’ll face us.”
Colonel Nsabimana emphasized that if the government forces and Wazalendo do not disarm, M23 will hunt them down and inflict severe consequences.
