M23 Rebels Capture Nyamilima, Forcing Over 2,000 Refugees and 98 Police Officers to Flee to Uganda

At least 98 Congolese National Police (NPC) officers and over 2,000 refugees have entered Uganda following the capture of Nyamilima town by M23 rebels.

Nyamilima town, located in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province, is approximately 10 kilometers from the Uganda-DR Congo border at Ishasha in Kanungu district. The rebels reportedly seized the town on Saturday around 4:00 pm with minimal resistance, prompting the police officers stationed on the DRC side of Ishasha to flee into Uganda.

The villages of Ngwenda, Nyabanira, Kasave, Kiseguro, Katwiguru, and Kisharo in Binza Groupement territory also fell to the rebels. On Sunday, M23’s Lt Col Willy Ngoma issued a statement confirming the capture of Nyamilima and criticizing the fleeing police officers as shameful.

“On Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., the lions were welcomed with jubilation at NYAMILIMA, 10 km from the ISHASHA, UGANDA border, to the applause of the population. Colonel Justin KARANGWA and other AFC/M23 commandos ensured the total security of the City. Government police officers from the border town of Ishasha fled en masse to Uganda following the triumphant entry of the AFC/M23 into Nyamilima. Very shameful to the cowards of an incompetent enjoyer Tshisekedi,” Ngoma stated.

Maj Kiconco Tabaro, public information officer for the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) 2nd Infantry Division, confirmed on Sunday the entry of 98 Congolese police officers. Tabaro stated that the armed officers were received and are being handled according to international law guidelines. Additionally, he mentioned that about 2,000 Congolese nationals had fled to Uganda through the Kyeshero and Ishasha borders in Kanungu district, as well as Bunagana and Nteko in Kisoro district, in the past 72 hours.

Tabaro assured that the UPDF is on high alert to prevent any negative elements from exploiting the tense situation to cross into Uganda. He called for calm, stating that the army is ready to thwart any cross-border fighting.

The conflict between M23 and the Congolese government began in March 2022, led by Bisimwa and Makenga. M23-AFC controls large areas in the territories of Rutshuru, Masisi, Nyiragongo, and Lubero. The DR Congo government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim that both Rwanda and M23 deny. The rebels assert that their fight is against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the DR Congo’s leadership.