On April 11, 2024, Peter Cirimwami, the military governor overseeing North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was confirmed dead after being shot during a visit to the front lines amid escalating violence from the M23 rebel group. Authorities indicated that he was struck by gunfire on Thursday and succumbed to his injuries during an evacuation for medical treatment, as stated by Sylvain Ekenge, a military spokesperson.
The backdrop of Cirimwami's death includes fierce clashes between the DRC military and the M23 rebels, who have seized control of Sake, a crucial town viewed as the last defense before Goma, the provincial capital. This development has sparked panic among those displaced in Goma, a city that has previously faced similar threats from the insurgents, prompting some foreign embassies to issue exit advisories for their citizens.
In reaction to these developments, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi emphasized the need to pursue the attackers until full control is regained over the national territory. As heavy fighting continues near Sake, military spokesperson Guillaume Njike Kaiko assured the public that efforts were underway to counter the M23 offensive and restore order in the area.
The international community is taking note, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing concerns over the recent surge in M23 hostilities. Guterres condemned the rebel group's renewed actions and their expansion into additional provinces, calling for an immediate halt to their offensive and adherence to a ceasefire agreement established in August.
This ongoing violence has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation, displacing over seven million individuals and forcing roughly 237,000 people to flee their homes since the beginning of 2025, according to United Nations reports.
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