President Tshisekedi called for urgent meeting after clashes in Sake

By TheInspirer.

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, chaired an emergency meeting following clashes between the country’s military and the armed group M23 in the city of Sake.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Minister of the Interior Jacquemain Shabani, and Minister of Defense Guy Kabombo Mudiamvita. It took place at the Presidential Office late at night.

On January 24, 2025, the Presidential Office of the DRC explained that Tshisekedi led a meeting of the defense council and a cabinet meeting to assess the security situation in the North Kivu province, particularly in Goma.

Sake is located just over 20 kilometers from Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu. There are concerns that the city may soon be captured by M23 fighters.

The DRC government is worried about the growing strength of M23 rebels in various conflict zones, especially in Sake.

The Sake clashes resulted in the death of North Kivu Governor, Gen. Maj. Peter Cirimwami, who had gone to support the DRC military in driving M23 fighters out of the city. The news of Gen. Maj. Cirimwami’s death was confirmed by M23 political spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka on the night of January 23, 2025.

When the fighting began in Sake, President Tshisekedi was in Davos, Switzerland. He quickly returned to follow up closely on the situation.