DR Congo Deploys Fighter Jets against M23 Rebels
The military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has sent out two war planes to attack M23 rebels in the conflict-torn east, drawing criticism on Monday from neighboring Rwanda after one of the aircraft violated its airspace.
DR Congo Deploys Fighter Jets against M23 Rebels
The military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has sent out two war planes to attack M23 rebels in the conflict-torn east, drawing criticism on Monday from neighboring Rwanda after one of the aircraft violated its airspace.
The Sukhoi-25 plane from the Democratic Republic of the Congo allegedly briefly touched landed in Rwanda on Monday morning, according to a statement from Rwanda’s government.
The statement continued, “No military action was taken by Rwanda in retaliation, and the jet returned to DRC,” adding that the government had formally objected to the action.
The government of the DRC acknowledged that one of their jets had “accidentally” flown into Rwandan airspace. Congo has “never harbored the intention of breaching that of its neighbor’s,” the statement continued, “just as it is devoted to maintaining its own territorial integrity.”
On November 7, 2022, in Goma, volunteers who wish to join the Congolese army pose for a picture during a recruitment session.
As Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting the resurgent M23 rebels, tensions between the DRC and Rwanda are at their highest level in years at the time of the event.
The M23, a predominantly Congolese Tutsi militia, initially gained notoriety in 2012 when it briefly overran Goma, the capital of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, before being forced out. After that, the group went dormant for years.
However, the group started fighting again in late 2021, citing, among other complaints, the DRC’s breach of a promise to integrate them into the army.
In recent weeks, the rebels have decisively increased the area they control in North Kivu region by defeating the Congolese army in a series of battles.
In response to the growing violence, the DRC expelled the ambassador from Rwanda.
However, specifics on the Congolese government’s jet deployments, a novel development in the conflict, are yet unknown.
On Monday morning, AFP correspondents witnessed two fighter planes take off from Goma airport.
A resident of the North Kivu hamlet of Kiwanja, which was recently seized by M23, also confirmed to AFP that a jet had flown overhead that morning.
The current frontlines are said to be close to Rugari, a significant commercial center with a population of about a million people that is about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Goma.
vigilance squads
Colonel Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko, a military spokesman for the DRC in Goma, said the country will fight as long as rebels held even a “single centimeter” of its land.
Kaiko declared, “The DRC has the right to use all available measures because we are being assaulted.”
The president of the DRC, Felix Tshisekedi, accused Rwanda of attempting to destabilize eastern Congo in order to seize control of the area’s mineral resources in a speech to the country on Thursday.
On November 7, 2022, in Goma, two Congolese soldiers command a session to enlist new members into the army to fight the M23 (March 23 Movement) insurgency.
He also exhorted youth to join the military and create “vigilance organizations” to fight the M23.
According to Kaiko, 3,000 individuals in Goma have already reacted to the call.
“Conquer the rebels,”
On Monday morning, hundreds of recruits lined up in formation close to a military installation in the city, some of them toting fake wooden guns.
They would go through training before the army decided on their job, a commander informed them.
Daniel, a 28-year-old recruit, declared that “real Congolese must join the army, to beat the rebels,” before leading his companions in the singing of songs that called for national harmony.
Solange, a 25-year-old female, reflected a similar martial spirit.
She declared, “I want to fight against Rwanda.” “I sacrifice my life for the country.”
