These exchanges of fire were recorded in the Rukorwe village in the Rusayo group, in the north of Goma. They left at least seven civilians dead and four injured.
This incident aroused incomprehension among Janvier Bangumya, the head of the administrative entity of Rusayo. This is because the Wazalendo fighters and the Congolese army (FARDC) are nevertheless allies to fight against the rebel forces of the M23, he reports to our correspondent in Goma, Héritier Baraka.
Clashes between the army and Wazalendo fighters
Thierry Gasisiro, secretary of civil society in the territory, calls for the perpetrators of the incident to be punished. “This type of action continues to tarnish the image of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the results show, unfortunately, seven people dead, four people injured by bullets and several enormous material and economic damages,” he deplores. -he. We are so shocked by what happened and we especially ask the military authorities to carry out serious investigations and to be able to clear the responsibility of one or the other. And for all those who are directly or indirectly involved in what happened, may they face the rigor of the law. »
This toll of seven deaths is confirmed by a hospital source, on condition of anonymity. For its part, the army has not yet officially communicated. However, a military source also speaks of incomprehension. But according to her, the misunderstandings have since been cleared up. However, our source refutes the assessment put forward by local civil society.
Many clashes
These deadly clashes between the Wazalendo and the Congolese army, supposed to fight the M23 together, are not the first. They are multiplying in the territory of Nyragongo. Others have also been reported around Saké.
For Bienvenu Matumo, member of Lucha, this is unfortunately not a surprise and reveals all the limits of this alliance between Congolese soldiers and rebel groups. “We cannot give responsibility to an uncontrolled, undisciplined group, untrained to wage war in place of the army, they will always create incidents like that. Already, it is participating in the production of insecurity in Goma. It should worry everyone to know to whom the weapons were given, to groups like the Wazalendo, who, for the most part, committed crimes yesterday. Most opposed the FARDC on Tuesday,” he said.
