Located approximately 170 km northwest of Bukavu (capital of South Kivu), Lumbishi is in a mining area rich in tourmaline, coltan, gold and cassiterite.
“After Lumbishi, they (the M23 fighters) are progressing towards Numbi and Shanje, still in the Kalehe highlands,” Thomas Bakenga, administrator of the Kalehe territory, told AFP.
“Since the morning (Sunday), there have been fighting in Kalehe with the enemy,” a security source told AFP on condition of anonymity, without further details.
In recent weeks, the M23 has gained ground, notably taking control of Masisi, administrative capital of the eponymous territory located in the province of North Kivu.
DRC: M23 rebellion seizes key town in the east, according to consistent sources
The Congolese army, which said it was “determined” to retake lost territories, has been carrying out counter-offensives for several days and the situation remains confused in several areas where fighting has intensified.
-In its desire to reconquer the areas occupied by the M23, the army is supported by “wazalendo”, a name meaning “patriots” in Swahili and designating a nebula of local pro-Kinshasa militias.
Clashes with detonations of heavy weapons were reported on Friday in the localities of Kabingo and Ruzirantaka, located between the provinces of North and South Kivu.
Since the beginning of January, the fighting has displaced at least 237,000 people, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Friday, saying it was “alarmed by the worsening violence”.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi on Saturday ruled out any idea of dialogue with the M23, which he described as a “terrorist group”.
In December, Congolese Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame were due to meet in Luanda for peace talks but the two sides failed to agree on terms, leading to the summit’s last-minute cancellation.
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