M23 rebels seize another city in eastern Congo despite unilateral ceasefire

ISTANBUL

The M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday captured Nyabibwe, a city in the eastern province of South Kivu, according to local media.

The Alliance Fleuve Congo, a rebel alliance that includes M23, declared a unilateral ceasefire beginning Tuesday due to humanitarian difficulties after the rebels took control last week of the city of Goma, the capital of neighboring North Kivu state.

But intense fighting erupted between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army early Wednesday, according to local news website Actualite.cd.

Nyabibwe is located between Goma and Bukavu, which is the provincial capital of South Kivu.

An official from Kalehe territory in South Kivu told Actualite.cd, which is based in the nation’s capital that Nyabibwe was seized by the M23.

When Anadolu asked M23 for a statement, a spokesman said he was busy and would comment later.

Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner earlier told South African broadcaster, Newzroom Afrika that “concrete action” is required, stressing that it must be supported by evidence to show the ceasefire is not a “cosmetic fix.”

The World Health Organization reported that more than 900 people have been killed in Goma in the last two weeks as a result of fighting between the rebels and government forces.

At least 20 peacekeepers have been killed in eastern Congo since last week -- 14 of whom were South African.

Thousands have been displaced, with many fleeing to neighboring Rwanda, including UN and World Bank staff.

-Malawi orders withdraw of troops

Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday ordered the commander of the Malawi Defense Forces (MDF) to start preparing for the withdrawal of Malawian troops serving as peacekeepers in the eastern Congo.

A statement said the withdrawal is to honor the declaration of a ceasefire by warring parties in Congo and to pave the way for their planned negotiations toward lasting peace that will bring stability to the region.

Malawi contributes peacekeeping troops to eastern Congo as part of the southern African regional bloc, SADC.

The country recently lost three soldiers in Goma during fighting with M23 rebels.

*Additional reporting by Hassan Isilow in Johannesburg and Jamal Jamal in Malawi