Residents of Twangiza, in South Kivu province, say they were surprised by drone strikes that targeted part of the factory early in the morning, around 4 a.m.

André lives on one of the hills of Twangiza. He testifies. "Three bombs exploded, targeting fuel and water storage tanks. No loss of life was reported, but we were scared. They were FARDC drones targeting areas occupied by the M23," he tells DW.

"Two weeks ago, other missiles were launched in the same area, without causing any damage. For the time being, Twangiza mining activities are suspended."

The population is waiting for the ceasefire

Furthermore, fighting is taking place between the AFC-M23 and various groups of Wazalendo fighters, auxiliaries of the Congolese army, in several villages in the Kalehe territory, as far as the outskirts of the Kahuzi Biega National Park.

A resident of the village of Katasomwa, Kassadi urges the warring parties to find common ground for the benefit of Congolese citizens. "We are suffering greatly because the clashes continue to this day. We have fled our villages. We ask both parties to do everything possible to ensure the safety of the residents," she explains.

In a statement, the AFC-M23 accused Kinshasa of violating the ceasefire, hours after it was signed in Doha. Its spokesman, Lawrence Kanyuka, said that coalition forces, led by Kinshasa, carried out ground attacks in Katasomwa, Lumbishi, and Kasake.

Opponents talking, a good sign for peace?

On Tuesday and Wednesday, a section of the Congolese opposition met in Nairobi, Kenya, with former President Joseph Kabila, who has been sentenced to death for treason and crimes against peace.

Jean Moreau Tubibu is a human rights defender in Bukavu. He believes in the return of peace to the DRC. "People should expect something good because people are talking to each other, because all these loudmouths in the opposition have remained silent for a long time.

Only Kabila attempted a breakthrough through Goma, all the way to Bukavu, to try to hold talks with the M23. These opponents are meeting. Even if we don't know what they said there, at least it's the first step," he assures.

In another statement, released this Wednesday, the AFC-M23 coordination condemned the strikes against the Twangiza factory.