Rebels capture town in eastern DR Congo

Rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23) group captured the town of Kitshanga, located in the province of North Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DCR), Report informs via AFP.

"The rebels have entered Kitshanga, we are trying to return the city under our control," AFP quoted its interlocutor from the DRC security forces as saying.

Fighting resumed in North Kivu three weeks ago after a nearly six-month truce between rebels and government forces.

M-23 rebels launched an offensive in eastern DRC in January 2021. They later managed to capture several cities and towns in the province of North Kivu. The republic's authorities accuse Rwanda of supporting militants. The March 23 Movement group was formed in 2012 by deserters from the Congolese armed forces.

Presidential, parliamentary and local elections in DR Congo will be held on December 20. The current head of state, Felix Tshisekedi, is seeking re-election to a second term.