The March 23 Movement (M23) rebel hierarchy has appointed financial coordinators in areas under their control amidst stalled peace talks and fierce fighting with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government.
On Wednesday night, M23 rebels released a statement signed by their coordinator, Corneille Nangaa Yobeuo, appointing Robert Mugisha as the overall head of the Finance Department.
Mugisha is deputized by Kilo Bahunda, who is in charge of public finances, and Kaj Fanny Kayemb, who oversees public debt and investments.
In the same statement, M23 rebels also appointed John Bosco Nzabonimpa as the Finance Coordinator in charge of mines in South Kivu province.
Birahira Ndayambaje has been appointed deputy coordinator in charge of Public Finance & Taxes, while Sumche Musango Rutera takes charge of Public Debt & Investments.
Liévin Mukingi has been appointed deputy in charge of mines for North Kivu province.
Paddy Karinyijabo has been appointed deputy coordinator in charge of imports, while Gregoire Ntambuka is responsible for public debt and investments in South Kivu province. Wilson Lutwamurize has been appointed deputy coordinator in charge of mines for South Kivu.
The DR Congo government has not reacted to these appointments. The appointments come at a time when direct peace talks between M23 rebels and the DRC government are faltering.
Peace talks, which were scheduled to start on Tuesday, failed after M23 rebels pulled out at the last minute, citing sanctions imposed on their leaders by the European Union as a sabotage of the negotiations.
Fierce fighting between the rebels and government forces on Wednesday led to the fall of Walikale Centre in Walikale territory into the hands of the rebels.
M23 rebels currently control large parts of North Kivu and sections of South Kivu provinces.
Since the resurgence of the M23 insurgency in 2022, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, the DRC government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the group-a claim that both Rwanda and M23 deny.
The rebels assert that their fight is against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the DRC’s leadership.
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