In the North Kivu region, the security situation remains tense. According to our sources, the M23AFC rebellion is consolidating its positions near the strategic city of Pinga, controlled by the DRC Armed Forces in Walikale territory. Following the arrival of reinforcements in Mpety, Minjenje, and Malemo, the town of Ihula, in the Kisimba groupement, is now receiving additional troops and ammunition this Thursday, September 24, 2025.
Information gathered on the ground by our intelligence indicates that vehicles coming from Kikuku, in Rutshuru territory, have been seen transporting fighters and their supplies to this area. The same reinforcement operation was also reportedly observed in Lubero territory, where local sources report an increased rebel presence in recent days in several areas under their control, although the precise motive is still unclear.
According to reports, the villages of Mukii, Mirombo, and Kamuli, in the Ikobo groupement, and Kalinga, Buhimba, Ngambi, Mbukuru, and Mukohwa, in the Kisimba groupement (Walikale territory) in North Kivu, have been empty since Tuesday, September 23, 2025. The inhabitants deserted these villages on the orders of the AFC/M23 rebels.
According to administrative sources in these two groupements, the order came from the groupement leader appointed by the rebels in Ikobo. The latter also controls the northern part of the Kisimba groupement.
According to sources, the rebels forced the inhabitants of these villages to go to Rusamambu, Kateku, and Buleusa, in the Ikobo groupement, an area under their occupation.
The displacement of the population of these villages began this Tuesday afternoon, according to local customary authorities, who are concerned about the fate of their constituents forced to lead new lives far from their fields.
A day earlier, on Monday, September 22, the inhabitants of Misinga, in the Iremya locality, in the Ikobo groupement, were forced to leave their village and sent to Rusamambu in the Muronga locality, where they live in precarious humanitarian conditions, our sources in the region report.
According to sources, the AFC/M23 rebels are justifying their decision by what they describe as collaboration between the inhabitants of these villages and the Wazalendo. The rebels accuse the population of providing information about their movements to the Wazalendo.
A total of nine villages were left deserted in just 24 hours in the Kisimba and Ikobo groups (Wanyanga sector).
As a reminder, several other villages in the Walikale and Masisi territories have been abandoned by their inhabitants at the request of the AFC/M23 rebels. The most recent are Malemo, Minjenje, and Mpety, on the border between these two territories. The rebels are directing these inhabitants towards areas under their control, reportedly intending to launch large-scale operations in these areas affected by armed conflict.
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