Presumed fighters of the M23 rebellion are accused of killing at least 9 civilians and injuring others in an attack that occurred from Saturday night to Sunday, August 6, 2023, in Marangara. This village is located in the Tongo group, near Runzenze, Kanyagiri, and Mabenga, in the chieftaincy of Bwito in the Rutshuru territory, North Kivu.
Apart from the fatalities, the civil society in Rutshuru reports houses being burned by the assailants during this attack. This organization, which condemns these new killings in this part of the province under the control of the EAC force, is demanding investigations to establish responsibilities in this case.
According to Jean Claude Bambaze, president of this citizen organization, this investigation – jointly conducted by the Congolese government and the international community on the massacre of populations in this part of North Kivu province – will establish the responsibilities of all involved.
On the other hand, Aimé Mbusa Mukanda, one of the human rights activists in this area, is asking the Congolese government to increase efforts to save human lives and free the Rutshuru territory from the yoke of M23 to alleviate the misery that the population in this area is going through.
We should note that, over a period of 6 months, several civilians have been killed specifically in the Tongo, Bambo, Bukombo groups in the chieftaincy of Bwito in the Rutshuru territory, North Kivu. The population in this area is still hoping for the goodwill of the Congolese authorities to restore peace in this part.
Augustin Tsongo
