M23 rebels have captured the strategic town of Mushaki in Masisi territory, North Kivu, edging closer to their main objective of cutting off key routes to the provincial city of Goma.
The takeover of the town comes days after intense deadly battles with DRC forces in which the insurgents registered high casualties and lost modern equipment to government soldiers.
However, on the third attack, M23 rebels on Thursday morning regained control of Mushaki.
M23 rebels first seized Mushaki from government forces in February, 2023.
Due to intense pressure from East African leaders, M23 handed over Mushaki to East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) on March 16th, 2023.
In September 2023, Burundian troops under EACRF quietly handed over Mushaki to DRC soldiers, angering M23 rebels.
Located about 37 kilometres west of Goma City, Mushaki links neighbouring Mufuni-Matanda and Mufuni Karuba groupings.
It’s feared the rebels could use their new position to block the Sake-Masisi centre road at Mushaki, choking supply routes to Goma.
Reports indicate M23 rebels were on Thursday advancing towards Muremure hill to try to cut the Sake-Minova road in the village of Kirotche.
The developments underscore the deteriorating security situation in eastern Congo.
The rebels possibly want to cut all access to Goma to create leverage for its demand for peace talks with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.
Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebels, saying he won’t hold discussions with mercenaries.
Rwanda denies the charge.
The rebels are moving fast to claim territories they had handed over to EACRF which is exiting DRC by December 8, 2023.
The East African Defence Chiefs on Wednesday resolved to hand over territory occupied by the EACRF to the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“It is desirable that the host nation (DRC) takes control of areas vacated by EACRF,” reads the report of the regional defence chiefs’ meeting held in Arusha, Tanzania.
