Sake, this strategic point linking Goma to the mining areas of western North Kivu

For several days, the FARDC and their allies, the Wazalendo, have been fighting against the M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, for control of the city of Sake. Located about twenty kilometers west of Goma, capital of the North Kivu province, this city is of strategic importance on several levels.

A strategic point

The city of Sake is much more than a simple crossroads. It constitutes a strategic point linking Goma to Masisi, Walikale, and the vast territories rich in mineral resources in western North Kivu. Sake is also an essential geographic lock for controlling movements in this region marked by recurring security tensions.

Its position on national road 2 makes it an essential axis for the armed forces and humanitarian actors operating in conflict zones.

An important lock

From a security and military perspective, Sake occupies a central place in military operations. It is one of the important barriers to protect the city of Goma.

Controlling Sake means guaranteeing control over strategic roads leading to landlocked areas, while limiting movements to or from Goma and other key localities.

An economic crossroads

Economically, the city plays a vital role in trade between Goma, surrounding rural areas and even certain regions of South Kivu.

Agricultural products and minerals pass through Sake before reaching major consumption centers.

Thus, Sake remains a symbol of the complexity of the issues in North Kivu, where geography, security, and geopolitics intertwine.