The rebels of the M23 supported by Rwanda killed a military governor while they were advancing by the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to reports.
The fights between the M23 and the Dr. Congo army have intensified since the beginning of the year, the rebels taking control of more territory than ever.
Major Gen Peter Cirimwami, Governor of North Kivu, was fatally injured by M23 fighters when visiting the front line on Thursday, according to the United Nations documents cited by Reuters press agencies and AFP.
More than 400,000 people have fled their homes since the start of this year while the M23 is advancing on the city of Goma, reports the UN.
As they headed for Goma, the M23 captured the cities of Masisi and Minova.
More than 200 civilians were killed in areas captured by the M23, local leaders said on Thursday.
And according to the United Nations, two children died after bombs fell on a camp for displaced people.
Following these troubles, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi cut his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, returning Thursday to organize urgent security meetings with senior officials.
The fall of Goma – a city of more than a million which is near the border with Rwanda – would be a major coup for the rebels. They briefly resumed the city during a rebellion in 2012, but retired after the negotiation of an agreement.
Many roads leading to the city have now been blocked, arousing concerns that food supplies in the city could run out.
“The city of Goma is held in a vice, the city is stifled, there are no more entries, there are no more outings … This population suffers enormously,” said the chief of the Local Union Bahala Shamavu innocent at the BBC.
Hope Ngalukiye, member of the entire opposition party, for the Republic, is also concerned about access to food.
“In Goma, we are not safe for the real ones,” said Ngalukiye. “No one who lives in Goma can tell you that he is not afraid.”
In recent days, the United States, the United Kingdom and France have all advised their nationals to leave Goma as soon as possible.
General Cirimwami was appointed governor of North Kivu in 2023, responsible for finishing decades of conflict in the region. At the time, there were criticisms in the appointment of a military governor.
Before that, as a military commander, General Cirimwami opposed the wishes of President Tshisekedi and collaborated with the armed group FDLR in the fight against M23, according to the United Nations.
Some FDLR leaders were linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the group was also accused of human rights violations in Dr. Congo.
Rwanda has repeatedly accused the Congolese authorities of working with the FDLR, and has invaded its much larger neighbor twice, saying that it was pursuing those who committed the genocide.
On Thursday, the M23 rebels captured the neighboring city of Saké, according to the United Nations, the United Kingdom and various other sources.
But the Congolese army said that it had rejected the attack on the sake, which is only 20 km (12 miles) from Goma.
Residents of the Saké and the wider area – many of which were already moved by the conflict – fled their houses.
People escape by transporting mattresses and other essential elements of this type on their backs, while dozens pile up in overcrowded wooden boats.
Thousands of panicked families fled to Goma, where hospitals were overwhelmed by injured civilians.
The M23 has taken control of large expanses from Dr Congo rich in minerals since 2021. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of people have been moved.
Last year, it was also feared that the rebels will grasp Goma. There was a lull in the fighting at the end of July, but heavy fights resumed in October and worsened towards the end of the year.
Dr. Congo and the UN say that the M23 is supported by Rwanda. Rwandan authorities do not confirm or deny it.
UN experts say that Rwanda has between 3,000 and 4,000 soldiers operating alongside M23 in eastern Dr. Congo.
The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that the current conflict risks intensifying in a broader regional war.
Mr. Guterres called on “all the actors to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo and to put an end to all forms of support for armed groups,” a statement said.
