AFC-M23 / Wazalendo Clashes Reported in Several Masisi Villages

The territory of Masisi in North Kivu remains a theater of intense conflict as violent clashes between the AFC-M23 rebellion and the Wazalendo coalition, fighting alongside the FARDC, have raged for five days. Local sources report that the fighting is currently concentrated along the Katoyi-Rubaya and Ufamandu-Ngungu axes, within the Katoyi sectors and the Bahunde chiefdom.

Heavy artillery fire has been audible since early Friday morning in the Kibabi groupment and the Bahunde chiefdom. Here, a coalition of Wazalendo groups launched coordinated assaults on AFC-M23 strongholds. On one front, the PARECO group, led by a figure known as Kigingi, attacked the town of Chugi on the Kinigi-Kavuta axis, approximately 30 kilometers from the mining town of Rubaya. Simultaneously, an alliance of Mai-Mai Lamuka and Mutayomba fighters advanced on the Gashovu-Mahiga axis, heading towards Ngungu in the Ufamandu groupment.

These sustained hostilities have instilled significant fear among the populations of Katoyi, Osso-Banyungu, and the Bahunde chiefdom. While local sources suggest that Wazalendo fighters had recently regained control of several villages, they were reportedly pushed back by the AFC-M23 on Thursday evening, with the latter reconquering Gasake, Kinigi, and Kaniro after fierce fighting. However, Wazalendo forces are said to maintain a presence in Katoyi-Centre, Luke, Kasenyi, and surrounding areas, contributing to a highly confused and volatile situation. A large portion of the civilian population has fled these areas due to the ongoing violence.