Rwanda-supported M23 rebels announced during a briefing in Goma on Thursday their intention to extend their military campaign to the capital, Kinshasa.
Earlier this week, the group seized control of a significant city in eastern Congo. They expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the government as part of their strategy to secure political influence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Our goal is Congo; we are fighting for Congo. We are not motivated by minerals or any other interests,” stated Corneille Nangaa, a political leader of M23.
There are unverified reports indicating that the M23 rebels are making progress towards Bukavu, the region’s second-largest city, despite international appeals for a ceasefire.
Nangaa outlined three reasons for the continuation of their struggle. “Firstly, there is no functioning state in the DRC. The Tshisekedi administration has dismantled the army, the national police, and the administration itself, and most importantly, it has undermined justice.”
This announcement followed President Felix Tshisekedi’s call for a significant military mobilization to counter the rebellion. “I encourage him [Tshisekedi] to persist in his fight, but we will continue our efforts until we reach Kinshasa,” Nangaa remarked.
He did not provide details on how the rebels intend to approach the capital, which is over 1,500 kilometers away.
The M23 urged the residents of Goma to continue their daily activities while the rebels work to facilitate essential humanitarian aid.
The humanitarian coordinator for the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported that essential services in the city are largely incapacitated.
Goma serves as a vital humanitarian center for over six million individuals displaced by ongoing conflict.
According to United Nations experts, approximately 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda are providing support to the rebel forces.
These rebels are among more than 100 armed groups that have been competing for dominance in the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo for the past ten years.
Nangaa refuted claims that the conflict is primarily about resource control, labeling such assertions as “propaganda from Kinshasa,” and emphasized that “our struggle is to restore this state and provide food for the people.”
He articulated that the rebels’ objective is “to initiate development, foster peaceful coexistence among people, and create opportunities for both the region and the global community.”
