The March 23 Movement, known as the M23 Rebels on Sunday, launched fresh attacks on troops in Bunagana town, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The rebel group took hold of the town after a night of violent exchange with the military, as majority of the soldiers fled.
Following the attacks, many residents of Bunagana moved away to other locations in search for safety, leaving the town that once served as a “transit point for goods being imported into Congo from as far away as China.”
The recurrent conflict between the rebel group and the military, led to DRC’s accusations that neighbouring Rwanda had a hand in the situation, which they did not hesitate to refute.
Despite a peace deal in the past to absorb the rebels into the military, they recently reverted to the conflict again, accusing the government of Congo for failing to execute their promises.
As the conflict intensifies, so has the tension between DRC and Rwanda. The two countries have over the years, fingered each other in incidents of rival armed groups.
Both countries have distanced themselves from the M23 rebels and instead, resorted to blaming each other for the incessant attacks and unrest by the group.