The AFC/M23 rebel movement has accused UN peacekeepers in DR Congo of facilitating the release of armed Congolese soldiers and elements a Rwandan genocidal militia, FDLR, in their custody with the intention of killing civilians in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province which was captured by the rebels last week. ALSO READ: SADC mission in DR Congo should withdraw, says South African defence analyst Soon after capturing the city, the rebels moved to ensure a return to normalcy and, on February 5, the AFC/M23 appointed new leaders for North Kivu Province. In an announcement, the rebel leaders said there was “a need and urgency to organize the territorial administration in the Democratic Republic of Congo.” Joseph Bahati Musanga was appointed governor of North Kivu, according to the announcement signed by AFC coordinator Corneille Nangaa and his deputy and president of M23, Bertrand Bisimwa. Goma and the entire province now enjoy tranquillity which residents say they have not known for decades. ALSO READ: Malawi orders troops out of eastern DR Congo In a statement on Thursday, February 6, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said that the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo, MONUSCO, released 100 armed Congolese army (FARDC) and FDLR militia fighters into Goma to “kill civilians”. ‘Criminal activities of MONUSCO’ The FDLR is a DR Congo-based terrorist militia founded by remnants of the masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The militia group has lived in the neighbouring country for three decades. ALSO READ: DR Congo soldiers commend Rwanda's hospitality after fleeing their country “We are alerting the public about the criminal activities of MONUSCO in Goma: it released 100 armed FARDC and FDLR elements into the city to kill civilians,” Kanyuka posted on X. The released armed elements are among those were cantoned in the MONUSCO base after they were overpowered by rebels forces shortly after the city was captured. Kanyuka said the rebel forces had already captured five of the infiltrators—three FARDC and two FDLR fighters—who were found in possession of four rifles and three grenades. Kanyuka also accused the Congolese army of violating the ceasefire announced on Monday, February 3, saying FARDC forces continued attacks on M23 positions and civilians. “FARDC fighter jet (Sukhoi-25) bombed the densely populated area of Nyabibwe and its surroundings, killing four civilians, including an infant,” Kanyuka claimed. The rebels later moved in and captured Nyabibwe. MONUSCO has not yet responded to the accusations. About 3,000 other Congolese soldiers and their allies are still in the MONUSCO base. East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders are meeting in Dar es Salama, Tanzania, on Saturday, to try find a lasting solution to the crisis in eastern DR Congo.
