M23 rebels have seized Bunagana town in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on the border with Uganda.
The rebels took over Bunagana on Monday (June 13), according to a statement released to the media.
Reuters journalist Fiston Mahamba Wa Biondi quoted FARDC saying that “their withdrawal from Bunagana is tactical to spare casualties on the civilian side as was the wish of Rwanda”.
The M23 rebels quickly took full control of the town and outlined their demands for a ceasefire, asking the Congolese government to expedite peace talks and fulfill their demands in accordance with the 2013 Nairobi Agreement.
In both an email to journalists, the rebels are demanding immediate negotiation from DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.
The Congolese army in a statement said Rwandan troops had occupied the town.
M23 rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo have seized the eastern town of Bunagana on the border with Uganda, local activists said on Monday (June 13). pic.twitter.com/ykUmixeLbl
— Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) June 13, 2022
“Bunagana remains under FARDC control until then. Many losses inflicted on the aggressors,” DR Congo army last communicated on Saturday.
The office of North Kivu’s military governor on Sunday said Congolese forces had “routed” the M23 following attacks near Bunagana, which is one of the main crossings into Uganda.
The capture of Bunagana marked a major setback for Congolese forces who said a day earlier that they had the insurgents on the run.
Bunagana was an M23 stronghold during a 2012 insurrection that briefly overran the major city of Goma before Congolese and U.N. forces chased the rebels into neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda the following year.
FARDC soldiers flee to Uganda
Over 150 Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have reportedly fled to Uganda to escape the advancing forces of M23 rebels.
“M23 rebels are now in full control of the town (Bunagana),” a source told SoftPower News on Tuesday.
“Some overpowered Congolese government soldiers ran to Uganda where they were received and disarmed.”
Among those fleeing the fighting are about 30,000 civilians who have since entered Uganda seeking refuge.
Uganda Red Cross Society said on Tuesday that more Refugees continue to cross from DR-Congo into Uganda as “the situation back home becomes more tense”.
“Red Cross Volunteers at Bunagana border play a key role as they receive, guide & support them to board trucks & buses to be moved to the reception centre,” the statement said.
#DRC_UGPopnMovement – More Refugees continue to cross from #DR-Congo into #Uganda as the situation back home becomes more tense. Red Cross Volunteers at Bunagana border play a key role as they recieve, guide & support them to board trucks & buses to be moved to the reception cntr pic.twitter.com/3Me1ZZjGFE
— Uganda Red Cross Society (@UgandaRedCross) June 14, 2022
The DR Congo government has severally accused the Rwandan government of backing M23 rebels in a bid to destabilise the country and siphon its minerals.
Congolese in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Goma have held several protests against the Rwandan government.
Rwanda says The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) remnants of the 1994 genocidaires continue to operate in DR Congo and are a security threat to Rwanda.
