Tshisekedi appoints Brigadier General Somo Kakule as Leader of North Kivu

By The Inspirer.

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has promoted Brigadier General Somo Kakule Evariste to the rank of Major General and appointed him to lead the North Kivu Province.

He replaces Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, who was killed by M23 on January 24, 2025, during clashes between government forces and the rebel group.

Major General Somo Kakule Evariste was previously the head of the 31st Brigade in Kindu, a city in the Maniema province, which borders North Kivu.

He was part of the special forces of the FARDC and fought against M23 during battles in the Kanyabayonga area.

After the capture of Goma, M23 now controls over one-third of the North Kivu province, including large areas of the Walikale, Lubero, and Beni territories. However, parts of these territories and towns are still under government control.

Intense fighting took place in Goma in the past two days, with a ceasefire now in effect, and some government forces, acknowledging defeat, have fled to Rwanda.

There are reports that foreign mercenaries, who had supported the government, are now returning to their home countries via the border between Congo and Rwanda.

Countries like the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and others have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities on both sides and for the resumption of the Luanda peace talks.