Bunagana is a small town in Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu Province, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, at the border with Uganda. It served as the headquarters of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel militia in 2013[1] and has been occupied by M23 since 13 June 2022.[2]
Bunagana | |
|---|---|
An M23 rebel sits on a hill above Bunagana | |
Bunagana Location in DR Congo | |
| Coordinates: 01°18′00″S 29°35′42″E / 1.30000°S 29.59500°E | |
| Country | |
| Province | North Kivu |
| Territory | Rutshuru |
| Elevation | 1,920 ft (590 m) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (Central Africa Time) |
| Climate | Cwb |
As of 13 October 2022, the rebels had consolidated their control on the area surrounding the town. The Congolese border post was operating under rebel control with ongoing commercial exchanges with Uganda.[3]
United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez has stated that “Rwandan support for M23 rebels who are attacking civilians, UN peacekeepers, and FARDC in Eastern DRC is unacceptable”[4] and has called for Bureau of African Affairs to “immediately investigate and hold those responsible to account”[5]
Location
editThe town is located approximately 73 kilometres (45 mi), by road, northeast of Goma, the provincial capital.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Long, Nick (4 November 2013). "Refugees Flee to Uganda to Escape Renewed DRC Violence". VOA. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
- ^ Sabiti, Djaffar; Bujakera, Stanis (2022-06-13). "Congo rebels seize eastern border town, army blames Rwanda". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
- ^ "Nord-Kivu : la société civile déplore les 4 mois d'administration rebelle à Bunagana". Radio Okapi (in French). 13 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ @SFRCdems (13 June 2022). "Rwandan support for M23 rebels who are attacking civilians, UN peacekeepers, and FARDC in eastern DRC is unacceptab…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @SFRCdems (13 June 2022). "Rwandan support for M23 rebels who are attacking civilians, UN peacekeepers, and FARDC in eastern DRC is unacceptab…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Road Distance Between Bunagana & Goma With Map