The M23 rebels and the Congolese military are still trading accusations following a gunfire exchange on Sunday that disrupted ongoing peace negotiations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), mediated by Angola.
The M23 rebels, allegedly supported by Rwanda, claimed they engaged in combat after their airspace in Lubero and Rutshuru was allegedly violated by Congolese forces.
An M23 spokesperson asserted that a plane from the Kinshasa government breached their airspace on Sunday, describing it as a significant violation of the ceasefire and an intolerable provocation.
However, the Congolese military countered, stating that poor weather conditions would have made it impossible for any aircraft to operate in North Kivu at the time.
Lieutenant-Colonel Ndjike Kaiko Guillaume dismissed M23’s explanation as a tactic to mislead the public and justify the attacks they launched on Sunday against military positions in Kikubo, Lubero territory.
On Saturday, M23 had accused Congolese forces of deploying troops near areas under its control, but the military dismissed this as another attempt by M23 to create a pretext for conflict.
Since August 4, Angola’s president has been actively shuttling between the DRC and Rwanda, holding meetings with both the Congolese and Rwandan presidents as part of the ongoing peace process.
During these meetings, a proposal for peace in eastern DRC was presented.
The foreign ministers of both countries have already convened three times since the beginning of August. At a recent regional summit in Zimbabwe, the Angolan president’s peace efforts were commended.
The next round of talks between the foreign ministers is scheduled for September 9 and 10, as efforts to secure lasting peace in the region continue.