Rebels seize Nyabibwe in South Kivu province, despite declaring ceasefire starting Tuesday due to humanitarian difficulties
M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday captured Nyabibwe, a city in the eastern province of South Kivu, according to local media.
The Alliance Fleuve Congo, a rebel alliance that includes M23, declared a unilateral ceasefire beginning Tuesday due to humanitarian difficulties after the rebels took control last week of the city of Goma, the capital of neighboring North kivu state.
But intense fighting erupted between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army early Wednesday, according to local news website Actualite.cd.
Nyabibwe is located between Goma and Bukavu, which is the provincial capital of South Kivu.
An official from Kalehe territory in South Kivu told Actualite.cd, which is based in the DRC's capital that Nyabibwe was seized by the M23.
When Anadolu asked M23 for a statement, a spokesman said he was busy and would comment later.
Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner earlier told South African broadcaster, Newzroom Afrika, that “concrete action” is required, stressing that it must be supported by evidence to show the ceasefire is not a “cosmetic fix.”
The World Health Organization reported that more than 900 people had been killed in Goma over the last two weeks as a result of fighting between the rebels and government forces.
At least 20 peacekeepers have been killed in eastern Congo since last week — 14 of whom were South African.
Thousands have been displaced, with many fleeing to neighboring Rwanda, including UN and World Bank staff.
