Kinshasa: Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have taken control of Masisi, a strategic town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local politicians confirmed on Sunday. The town, located approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the provincial capital Goma, serves as a vital administrative hub.
The Tutsi-led M23 group, which resumed its insurgency in 2022, has been accused by Congo and the United Nations of receiving direct support from neighboring Rwanda, including troops and weapons. Rwanda denies these claims, asserting that it has implemented defensive measures.
Escalation of Fighting
Recent weeks have seen intensified clashes, culminating in significant territorial gains for M23. Provincial parliament member Alexis Bahunga told Reuters that “the government will take measures to restore state authority over the entire territory.” Meanwhile, another parliamentarian, Jean-Pierre Ayobangira Safari, described the situation in Masisi as “taken for now.”
Corneille Nangaa, leader of the anti-government Congo River Alliance (AFC), which aligns with M23, confirmed that rebel forces reached the town’s center on Saturday afternoon.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted local life, with businesses shut down and humanitarian workers unable to operate effectively. A representative of an international organization in Masisi expressed concern over the uncertainty and fears of a potential counteroffensive by Congolese forces. “They don’t know how to leave the town since we fear that the [Congolese forces] will launch a counteroffensive,” the source said under anonymity.
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The crisis continues to defy a ceasefire agreement, undermining regional peace efforts. A planned high-level meeting between the Congolese and Rwandan presidents was postponed in December, stalling potential resolutions to the violence. The ongoing conflict has displaced over 1.9 million people, compounding an already dire humanitarian situation.
