On Sunday, Lt. Col. Ndjike Kaiko Guillaume, the FARDC spokesperson for North Kivu province, announced the launch of “Operation Caterpillar 2,” an offensive aimed at dislodging M23 rebels from their positions across the province.
One of the houses destroyed by bombs in Nyiragongo
The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have accused the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and allied militias operating under the Wazalendo (Patriots) coalition of causing the deaths of 10 civilians during intense fighting on Sunday and Monday in Kibumba groupement, Nyiragongo territory, North Kivu province.
Fighting reportedly escalated across several positions in the area, particularly in Nditi, located within Virunga National Park. The clashes resulted in five shells falling into Kibati Groupement, an area housing displaced persons, though no casualties were reported there.
On Sunday, Lt. Col. Ndjike Kaiko Guillaume, the FARDC spokesperson for North Kivu province, announced the launch of “Operation Caterpillar 2,” an offensive aimed at dislodging M23 rebels from their positions across the province.
However, on Monday night, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka issued a statement blaming FARDC and its militia allies for indiscriminate bombings that allegedly killed seven adults and three children, all civilians. The M23 claims that the bombings also left eight civilians injured and destroyed numerous homes.
Kanyuka further alleged that FARDC bombings had damaged electricity infrastructure supplying power to Goma city, describing the use of combat helicopters and fighter jets as a violation of the Luanda ceasefire agreement. The FARDC has yet to respond to these allegations.
The conflict between the M23, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, and the Congolese government reignited in March 2022 and intensified in August 2024 when the M23 leadership allied with Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, former chairman of the DRC's electoral commission and leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC).
The DRC government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, allegations both Rwanda and the M23 have denied. The rebel group maintains that their insurgency is driven by opposition to corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the Congolese leadership.