The Congolese army called on deserters to return to their units on Thursday after rogue soldiers fired weapons and looted parts of the eastern town of Lubero, following their retreat from nearby clashes with advancing Rwandan-backed rebels.
The unrest underscores the growing instability within the Congolese military as the M23 rebel group continues its offensive, capturing the two largest cities in eastern Congo and fueling fears of a wider conflict.
A military spokesperson for North Kivu province issued a statement demanding that runaway soldiers in and around Lubero return to their posts within 12 hours. The statement also called for soldiers to refrain from theft and other illegal activities.
Fighting with M23 rebels has persisted on the outskirts of Lubero for 72 hours, according to Congolese army spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge.
Residents of Lubero described chaotic scenes Thursday morning, including gunfire and looting at the central market and mobile phone and clothing shops. “It’s complete turmoil in Lubero. Shots can be heard … The soldiers are running in all directions,” one resident said, speaking anonymously for safety reasons.
Lubero’s military administrator, Alain Kiwewa, later reported that order had been restored in the town and attributed the panic to a group of undisciplined soldiers.
Retreat from Bukavu
The desertions and escalating clashes around Lubero follow a chaotic retreat by Congolese forces in neighbouring South Kivu province, where M23 rebels advanced into the provincial capital, Bukavu, over the weekend. This led to fighting between Congolese troops and allied militias that had hoped to stay and defend the city.
The situation has raised alarm across the region and internationally. On Thursday, the United States imposed sanctions on a Rwandan government minister and a senior rebel leader for their alleged roles in the ongoing conflict.
Rwanda denies allegations from Congo and the United Nations that it is supporting the M23 rebels with arms and troops, claiming it is acting in self-defense against Hutu militias operating alongside Congolese forces. Congo, in turn, accuses Rwanda of using the M23 as a proxy to exploit Congo’s mineral resources, including gold and coltan, which are critical for manufacturing smartphones and computers.
Solidarity Fund Launched
In response to the mounting crisis, Congo’s finance ministry announced the creation of a solidarity fund on Thursday to allow citizens, companies, and organizations to contribute directly to the war effort in the east.
The initiative highlights the financial strain caused by the three-year insurgency, which has seen M23 rebels capture large areas of Congolese territory, including rich mining zones. The conflict, fueled by ethnic tensions and competition for resources, has roots dating back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.