DRC Vows to Escalate Fight Against M23 After General's Death.
GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo - The DRC plans to step up its fight against M23 rebels. This comes after the death of Major General Peter Cirimwami, North Kivu's Military Governor. He died from injuries near the front line between Goma and Sake.
President Félix Tshisekedi led a meeting of the Higher Defense Council on Friday in Kinshasa. The government laid out a strong military response to the growing security crisis.
President Tshisekedi ordered the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) to chase the "forces of aggression to their last stronghold." He wants them pushed far from Goma, said Major General Sylvain Ekenge, an army spokesman.
Major General Cirimwami's death was announced at the meeting. The military governor was key in coordinating North Kivu's defense. He was badly hurt on Thursday while visiting troops near the front lines.
He was taken to Kinshasa for advanced care and a planned transfer abroad. But he died from his injuries on Friday.
"He fell with weapons in his hands on the front line," said Major General Ekenge. He called the officer a "valiant fighter" who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
President Tshisekedi said a national funeral will be held in Kinshasa. General Cirimwami will be honored with full military honors.
The loss of Major General Cirimwami comes as M23 rebels intensify their attack on Sake. Sake is a key defensive spot 20 kilometers from Goma. Rwanda allegedly backs the rebels.
FARDC, helped by Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces, has sent helicopters, heavy artillery, and special forces. They want to stop the rebel advance.
M23's communication official, Lawrence Kanyuka, claimed the group is moving to "liberate" Goma. Congolese authorities dismissed this as propaganda.
The UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO says over 250,000 civilians have fled due to the fighting. Many are going toward Goma and nearby areas.
At the defense council meeting, President Tshisekedi restated his promise to protect the country's sovereignty and stability.
The Congolese Armed Forces have been told to stand firm in their defense efforts. "It is a duty, an obligation, and this obligation is patriotic," Ekenge said. He called on the military to stay strong until the aggressors were driven out of Congo.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is alarmed by the renewed M23 offensive. He warned of a "devastating toll" on civilians and the risk of regional escalation.
Guterres repeated calls for M23 to stop its offensive, leave occupied areas, and respect the July 2024 ceasefire.
The UN has also noted claims of Rwandan support for M23, which Kigali denies. Guterres stressed the importance of the Luanda peace process, led by Angola's President João Lourenço. The process aims to ease tensions between the DRC and Rwanda.
GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo - The DRC plans to step up its fight against M23 rebels. This comes after the death of Major General Peter Cirimwami, North Kivu's Military Governor. He died from injuries near the front line between Goma and Sake.
President Félix Tshisekedi led a meeting of the Higher Defense Council on Friday in Kinshasa. The government laid out a strong military response to the growing security crisis.
President Tshisekedi ordered the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) to chase the "forces of aggression to their last stronghold." He wants them pushed far from Goma, said Major General Sylvain Ekenge, an army spokesman.
Major General Cirimwami's death was announced at the meeting. The military governor was key in coordinating North Kivu's defense. He was badly hurt on Thursday while visiting troops near the front lines.
He was taken to Kinshasa for advanced care and a planned transfer abroad. But he died from his injuries on Friday.
"He fell with weapons in his hands on the front line," said Major General Ekenge. He called the officer a "valiant fighter" who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
President Tshisekedi said a national funeral will be held in Kinshasa. General Cirimwami will be honored with full military honors.
The loss of Major General Cirimwami comes as M23 rebels intensify their attack on Sake. Sake is a key defensive spot 20 kilometers from Goma. Rwanda allegedly backs the rebels.
FARDC, helped by Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces, has sent helicopters, heavy artillery, and special forces. They want to stop the rebel advance.
M23's communication official, Lawrence Kanyuka, claimed the group is moving to "liberate" Goma. Congolese authorities dismissed this as propaganda.
The UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO says over 250,000 civilians have fled due to the fighting. Many are going toward Goma and nearby areas.
At the defense council meeting, President Tshisekedi restated his promise to protect the country's sovereignty and stability.
The Congolese Armed Forces have been told to stand firm in their defense efforts. "It is a duty, an obligation, and this obligation is patriotic," Ekenge said. He called on the military to stay strong until the aggressors were driven out of Congo.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is alarmed by the renewed M23 offensive. He warned of a "devastating toll" on civilians and the risk of regional escalation.
Guterres repeated calls for M23 to stop its offensive, leave occupied areas, and respect the July 2024 ceasefire.
The UN has also noted claims of Rwandan support for M23, which Kigali denies. Guterres stressed the importance of the Luanda peace process, led by Angola's President João Lourenço. The process aims to ease tensions between the DRC and Rwanda.
