The security situation in North Kivu’s Masisi and Walikale territories has sharply deteriorated amid renewed clashes between M23/AFC rebels and local militias Wazalendo, according to a report from UN-sponsored Radio Okapi News.
In Masisi territory’s Nyamaboko 1st group, fighting intensified on Saturday, November 15, after M23 fighters seized the strategic village of Kazinga. Eyewitnesses reported that the rebels continued their advance into nearby localities, causing mass displacement, destroying homes, and looting a medical facility.
Meanwhile, Bukumbirwa town in the Ikobo area of Walikale territory witnessed fresh clashes overnight. Radio Okapi News cited local sources saying M23 fighters attacked positions held by the Coalition of Movements for Change (CMC) militias. Panic spread among residents, who fled into forests or neighboring villages to escape the violence.
The provisional death toll includes two children, while a woman was reportedly wounded. Local authorities warn that the security situation is increasingly unmanageable and fear that humanitarian conditions could deteriorate rapidly.
The clashes come despite a recent agreement signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and M23 rebels, aimed at ending hostilities in the region. However, the latest violence highlights the fragility of the ceasefire and the continued challenges in restoring lasting peace.
Ongoing diplomatic efforts are underway to stabilize the region, which has long been plagued by recurring armed conflicts. For the local population, uncertainty and fear are mounting as the threat of further attacks looms large.
