Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, military governor of North Kivu, has died from battle wounds during a M23 rebel offensive near Goma. The ongoing conflict has led to significant civilian displacement, with the UN warning of a potential regional war. Local sources report continued fighting as the situation deteriorates, prompting calls for urgent international intervention.
The military governor of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, has tragically succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during a rebel offensive led by M23 fighters. According to a government source and a United Nations report, the governor was supervising troops near Goma and was ultimately airlifted for medical treatment before his passing. This escalation marks a significant increase in violence in the mineral-rich eastern region, prompting mass civilian displacement.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, particularly involving the M23 rebel group, has its roots in longstanding ethnic tensions and political disputes. The M23 emerged following a 2009 agreement with the Congolese government, which the group claims has been breached. A surge in violence this year has led to accusations that Rwanda is supporting the insurgency, a claim that Rwanda vehemently denies. As fighting intensifies, the humanitarian situation in the region deteriorates, with the UN expressing grave concerns over the fatalities and displacements caused by the conflict.
The death of Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba underscores the escalating violence in North Kivu province amid the M23 offensive. The situation remains dire, with hundreds of thousands displaced and a potential regional conflict looming. The Congolese government is emphasizing the need for urgent international attention and action to address the rising instability perpetuated by external influences in the region.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
