DR Congo: M23 Captures Key Town of Masisi

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Above: M23 soldiers leave Rumangabo camp after the handover ceremony on Jan. 6, 2023. Image copyright: GUERCHOM NDEBO/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

  • The anti-government March 23 Movement (M23) militia has claimed the seizure of the strategic town of Masisi in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following intense fighting with the army and pro-government militias on Saturday.

  • Located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the North Kivu provincial capital Goma, Masisi is the local administrative capital of the agricultural and mineral-rich territory of the same name.

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The Spin

Narrative A

Rwanda and its M23 proxy have created one of the world's largest internal displacement and humanitarian crises so as to destabilize resource-rich eastern DRC. Kinshasa will never enter negotiations as long as attacks threaten its territorial integrity and population. It's time for the international community to step in and support the DRC.

chimpreports.com

Narrative B

Despite recent developments in North Kivu, peace in the DRC remains within reach. It's up to Kinshasa to finally take responsibility for the conflict and start acting in good faith in negotiations, instead of undermining diplomatic efforts. East Africa needs peace and stability; all other parties are ready to sign an agreement.

The New Times

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