Another alleged clash between m23 and FARDC in rugari

Violent clashes are reported again in Rutshuru territory more precisely in Rugari grouping on Thursday, July 23, 2020, between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and alleged M23 who have been reported in this area since a few days already. This Thursday, the population of the Rugari group(groupment), located about thirty kilometers north of the city of Goma, woke up in a strong fear that would be due to the presence of the alleged elements of the movement of March 23 (M23) which is confront with the army in this area. Sources of the Civil Society in the Rugari group indicate that a massive displacement of the population of this entity, leaving their villages towards Kanyarucinya more or less 5 kilometers from Rugari in Nyiragongo territory. Others would also have taken the road to Goma-Rutshuru where they took refuge. Other sources contacted;let's know that there are two operational armed groups in the area that have been facing each other since the morning in Virunga National Park where heavy and light weapons fired at Ruhanga, Ngugo, and Kikeri about 6 kilometers away from Rugari ready from Mikeno and Bukima. These same sources report that many inhabitants of the Rugari group have moved to the parish of Rugari for their safety. The inhabitants of this area are shouting an alarm to the administrative and military authorities to do everything to restore peace and security. At the same time, they call for the strengthening of security elements so that peace is a reality in this part of the province. As a reminder, it has been since this Monday, July 20th that clashes have been reported between FARDC and alleged M23 rebels in Rutshuru territory. Hard to get any balance sheet. The M23 has denied any confrontation but recognizes that its elements are in Rutshuru awaiting implementation of the Nairobi agreements.