Two of six civilians injured by gunfire during clashes between March 23 Movement (M23) rebels and the Congolese army (FARDC), supported by local “self-defense” groups known as VDP Wazalendo, have died, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has confirmed.
In a statement released Tuesday night, MSF said the civilians were hit by stray bullets during intense fighting in Nyabiondo, Masisi territory, North Kivu Province last week. The Nyabiondo health center, supported by MSF, was also struck multiple times by stray bullets, although no medical personnel were injured.
“Violent clashes pitted fighters from the VDP/Wazalendo alliance against those from M23 last week in Nyabiondo. The health center supported by MSF was hit several times by stray bullets, without causing injuries. Following the fighting, six gunshot victims were treated at the Nyabiondo health center. Unfortunately, two have died, including one due to the impossibility of evacuation to Masisi Hospital because of the clashes. The other four were referred to Masisi the next day,” reads the statement.
MSF called on all parties to protect civilians and respect medical personnel, patients, and health facilities. Neither M23 nor the FARDC/VDP Wazalendo coalition has released a statement regarding the incident. Despite the recent signing of a Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification Mechanism in Doha, Qatar, fighting has resumed on multiple fronts. Both parties accuse each other of violating the agreement.
Currently, M23 rebels reportedly control large parts of North and South Kivu provinces, including Goma and Bukavu cities, as well as Goma International Airport and Kavumu Airport. Since the resurgence of the M23 insurgency in 2022 under Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, the DRC government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the group, an allegation denied by both Rwanda and M23.
The rebels maintain their campaign is aimed at combating corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the Congolese leadership.
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