Senior Reporter
The M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have issued a warning to the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF) concerning their continued use of heavy artillery, specifically the 122 mm MRLS (BM), which has resulted in civilian casualties.
Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the March 23 Movement, accused the TPDF, operating under the SADC forces, of consistently employing the mentioned heavy artillery to indiscriminately attack and harm civilian populations.
Bertrand Bisimwa, the President of the March 23 Movement, expressed disappointment at the necessity of protecting innocent civilians from heavy artillery attacks initiated by what he referred to as “our own brothers” within the esteemed Tanzania People’s Defense Force—a force with a rich revolutionary history in Africa that has inspired numerous revolutionary movements.
Kanyuka reported that the FARDC, FDLR, mercenaries, militias, and the National Defense Forces of Burundi, along with the SADC forces, have resumed their assaults against civilians in densely populated areas like Mweso, Mushaki, Karuba, and their surroundings. The attacks reportedly involve infantry, heavy artillery, battle tanks, and drones on a Saturday morning.
In a strong warning, Kanyuka declared that the March 23 Movement may have no choice but to seize or incapacitate the weapons of the Tanzania People’s Defense Force and neutralize those responsible for using them to ensure the protection of innocent civilians from further harm.
