M23 group sets new government in North Kivu province

The M23 armed group has set up an administration unit to run the operations of North Kivu, following their takeover of Goma last week.

In a statement, Lawrence Kanyuka the spokesperson of the group announced the appointment of Bahati Musanga Joseph as the Governor, and Manzi Ngarambe Willy and Amani Bahati Shaddrak as deputies in charge of political, administrative and legal affairs and Economic, Financial and Development Affairs respectively.

Also set to join the new team are a mayor and territorial administrators whose names are yet to be revealed.

The move confirms M23's decision to take over the mineral-rich North Kivu following years of similar attempts.

It comes a week after Congolese authorities announced Major General Somo Kakule Evariste as the new governor of North Kivu province following the death of former governor Major General Peter Cirimwami, who was killed in the frontlines as the M23 rebels advanced towards Goma city.

"Homeland or death, we will win," Congolese armed forces said as they vowed to restore the state authority, neutralise the armed groups and protect civilians as the fighting continued.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that More than 100 female prisoners were raped and then burned alive during a jailbreak in the Congolese city of Goma, according to a report by the UN.

This is after hundreds of prisoners broke out of Munzenze prison last Monday after fighters from the M23 rebel group began its takeover of the city.

"Between 165 and 167 women were assaulted by male inmates during the jailbreak," BBC reported quoting an internal UN document.

It added that the report states that most of the women were killed after the inmates set fire to the prison.

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