Please note that our primary focus remains on supporting and ensuring the safety of our locally based field teams. We continue to receive direct communication from them as the situation evolves and important details are provided directly to ITSCI members. We are providing brief public updates on key changes but are not publishing daily updates on the rapidly evolving situation.

Since our last update on 17th January, the security situation in North and South Kivu has unfortunately escalated. ITSCI deeply regrets the humanitarian crisis currently unfolding in the region.

In South Kivu, non-state armed group M23 has taken control of the mineral trading towns Lumbishi and Numbi, Kalehe territory. The advancements of M23 in those areas led to artisanal miners and state services SAEMAPE[1] and the Mine Division leaving the area, resulting in the suspension of ITSCI tagging at all ITSCI sites in Numbi sector.  M23 has further advanced towards the town of Nyabibwe, creating fear among local population including miners who are leaving the area.

All activities by ITSCI field teams and state services continue normally in other parts of Kalehe territory and in other territories of South Kivu Province[2]. We are closely monitoring the situation and all information about security development in South Kivu is being recorded within the ITSCI incident mechanism.

In North Kivu, fighting between non-state armed group M23 and the Congolese army and their allies from ‘Wazalendo’ armed groups, continued. Last week, M23 retook control of the city of Sake. During clashes, the military governor of North Kivu was also reportedly killed.

Since 28th January, M23 seems to have taken control of Goma, the capital city of North Kivu, although the situation still seems confusing and volatile, with ongoing reports of the presence of FARDC and sporadic shooting and detonations in or around Goma. Electricity and water have been cut off for several days, and internet is also partly interrupted. All activities in Goma are therefore currently paralysed, and developments are being recorded within the ITSCI incident mechanism. ITSCI field teams present in Goma continue to report on the situation.

In Walikale territory, ITSCI monitoring activities and tagging by state services continue normally.

We are in daily communication with our teams on the ground to monitor the development of the situation, both in North and South Kivu. We will continue to take appropriate mitigation measures and engage with local stakeholders as the situation develops.

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[1] Service for Assistance and Supervision of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Organisation

[2] Apart from Kalehe territory, the ITSCI programme is implemented in the following territories of South Kivu: Idjwi, Kabare, Mwenga, Shabunda, Uvira, and Walungu.