DRC: East African Regional Forces Reclaim Key Town From M23 Rebels

East African regional forces have announced that they are now in control of Bunagana, a strategic town in eastern DRC previously held by M23 rebels for more than nine months.

Captain Kato Ahmad Hassan, the spokesperson for the regional force's Ugandan contingent, verified that the M23 insurgents had cooperated throughout the transfer.

During several rounds of mediation attempts on the crisis in eastern Congo, where more than 120 armed groups have been battling for territory, power, and resources, as well as some to defend their communities, the rebels' withdrawal from Bunagana has been a crucial demand.

Ugandan forces, which are a component of the East African Community Regional Force in eastern Congo, will now attempt to force M23 to retreat gradually from other regions, such as Kiwanja and Mabenga, which are controlled by the rebels.

During the M23 rebel's occupation of the territory, many lives and properties have been destroyed. Women and children also succumbed to torture and rape at the hands of the rebels.