The M23 rebel fighters have gained total control of the 100-year-old DRC’s Virunga National Park as park guards fully evacuated, Taarifa reliably reports.
Details have emerged that the Ecoguards from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) have left their strategic Rwindi base, in Virunga Park (North Kivu).
The ICCN noted that the increased M23 presence did not allow the ecoguards to remain in the virunga park also designated as a UNESCO heritage site.
“It is an active operational zone, military pressure is strong and we are taking precautions,” local Congoese media quoted a source within the Virunga park on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the park.
“Those who remain in Rwindi are only the M23. Last week we saw the men and the military ration of the M23 descend towards Rwindi and recently there were clashes between the M23 and the FARDC, it is possible that as a precaution, the ICCN evacuated the eco-guards,” the source added.
Vehicles from the park have been shuttling since last week on the RN2 evacuating ecoguards and their property from Rwindi.
Last year in March, the M23 fighters captured Rwindi base without any major resistance from the Congolese forces FARDC that retreated to Kanyabayonga.
The M23 rebels control a long expanse of the park including all surrounding villages up to the Vitshumbi fishery on the coast of Lake Edward still in Virunga Park.
Monusco peacekeepers were the first to leave Rwindi base leaving behind the ecoguards who have also effectively withdrawn from the base leaving it under total control of M23 fighters who demand for direct talks with government authorities to settle their grievances but Kinshasa has rejected these demands.
