The commander of the Police/Kinshasa announces the deployment of his elements "in each Catholic parish this Sunday before, during and after worship". Deputy Divisional Commissioner Blaise Kilimbalimba wants to "prevent any disturbance of public order"
At least 70 other civilians died in the Lubero territory in North Kivu. A crime attributed to the ADF rebels near Maiba in the Manzya group, about forty kilometers from Vuyinga. Two days after the kidnapping, their bodies were found lying on the ground last Friday, reports the local community protection committee.
Taken hostage on the night of February 11 to 12, these victims were targeted far from the center of the tragedy, indicates Vitwamba Vianney, coordinator of this structure. The victims, all ages, were finished off in a local church.
"70 people were reported missing and taken hostage presumedly by ADF. And, their bodies have just been discovered in Kasanga not far from Maiba. The massacred victims were found in a church of the Baptist Community in Central Africa (CBCA). The area is not controlled by government forces," he said.
Political and administrative authorities are slow to comment on this situation while the vital forces of Vuyinga and surrounding areas have not stopped warning since the beginning of the current year on the need to reinforce the troops of the Congolese army supported by the Ugandan army in the hunt for the ADF rebels.
The territory of Lubero, beyond the security crisis of the M23 rebellion, is shaken by the activism of the ADF rebels who act in the chiefdoms of Baswagha and Bapere. In the last six months, the toll peaks around the hundreds of civilians killed in these towns.
The security of Bukavu has been left in hands of unruly youth as security situations in Bukavu and its surroundings worsens this night, the security situation has deteriorated. Young people identified as children of soldiers have taken control of several neighborhoods in the communes. Having weapons with them, they are spreading terror among the population. Several commercial houses have been looted.
Up to now these young men are the terrorising the remnants of this city.
Photo Below!Photo taken a few minutes ago in Bukavu
"Belgium strongly condemns the offensive on Bukavu by the M23/AFC supported by Rwanda."
Like I wrote in recent post,the Belgium gorvenment is too worried of a grand war on Kinshasha and the region.
Belgium further noted:
"This increases human suffering and the risks of an extension of the conflict. Respect for the territorial integrity of the DRC, human rights and international humanitarian law as well as the protection of civilians are essential."
"The M23/AFC and Rwandan troops must withdraw. Belgium urges the parties to engage in regional mediation and dialogue."
"We are working with our European and international partners to ensure that this situation does not remain unaddressed."
"Action should be taken to strengthen the cohesion of the DRC and address the root causes of the conflict."
France had also earlier condemned the attacks on Bukavu!
France strongly condemns the Rwandan-backed M23 offensive in South Kivu towards Bukavu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is very concerned about the ongoing fighting, which is worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. The M23 must immediately cease its offensive and withdraw from the territories it has taken control of. Support for armed groups by all parties must cease.
France reaffirms its solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo and its unwavering commitment to its territorial integrity and sovereignty. It calls for the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Priority is given to a return to the ceasefire and the resumption of dialogue. Following the capture of Goma on 28 January 2025, this offensive by the M23 supported by the RDF is undermining regional peace efforts and the implementation of the conclusions of the joint summit of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held on 7 and 8 February 2025. France urges the parties to implement the immediate and unconditional ceasefire decided at this summit.
France calls on all armed groups, including the M23, to lay down their arms and resume dialogue to put an end to the violence and protect civilian populations.
France is ready to implement new multilateral sanctions against all actors contributing to the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in eastern DRC.
Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye is elected 1st Vice-President of the African Union for the 2025 financial year.
The governor of the city province of Kinshasa, Daniel Bumba, warned all those who threaten to disturb public order and attack churches on Sunday, February 16 in the Congolese capital.
Daniel Bumba recalled that the measure prohibiting the organization of public demonstrations in Kinshasa taken a few weeks ago is still in force, affirming that those who go beyond this measure will face the full force of the law.
He also announced that the police are already mobilized to deal with any eventuality and possible looting.
The Catholic archbishop of Kinshasha has calmed Christian's :
“Do not be afraid, hold on!” is the message of Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa to the faithful of the Catholic Church⛪️ in the face of threats shared on social networks, calling for attacks on Catholic churches on Sunday, February 16 in Kinshasa.
Reliable sources within the M23 reveal that the rebels of the M23 are hesitant to engage in a front on the Uvira - Fizi axis because of the fierce nationalism that reigns among the population of these areas.
Reliable sources say that the rebels are seeking to take control of the Minembwe airfield to facilitate the delivery of equipment to reinforce a new front on the Uvira, Fizi and Baraka axis in the S.kivu and Maniema, Tanganyika and Haut-Katanga axis in eastern DRC
The M23 is already present in Minembwe through its Twirwaneho auxiliary.
Today,there was expanded security council that took place in the city of Uvira to discuss the worsening threat to these provinces.
As usual the Armed Forces of the DR Congo and Wazalendo claim to have managed to push back the Twirwaneho / Red_Tabara rebels allied with the M23-AFC, on these three front lines this Saturday in Minembwe, EPÙPÙ and MIENGE, in the Fizi territory in S.kivu, in the east of the DRC. The customary chief of Minembwe, Mr. NDAHIDA KAROJO, was killed in this War. The airfield remains under the control of the FARDC.
