M23 Rebels Retake Two North Kivu Villages Amid Renewed Clashes in Eastern DR Congo

M23 rebels retook two villages in North Kivu after clashes with Congolese forces, a day after losing them. The fighting follows the reported killing of the group’s spokesperson and comes despite a ceasefire brokered by Angola, with renewed violence displacing thousands in eastern DR Congo.

M23 rebels have recaptured two villages in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province following heavy fighting with government forces and allied Wazalendo militia fighters, according to local media reports on Thursday.
The villages of Kasenyi and Luke, both located in Masisi territory, were retaken after the rebels launched a counteroffensive on Wednesday. The development came just a day after Congolese army troops and pro-government Wazalendo fighters had regained control of the same areas. Security and civilian sources cited by a local news website said the M23 fighters were reinforced by combatants arriving from neighbouring Rutshuru Territory before mounting their renewed assault.
Witnesses described intense clashes in and around the villages, with gunfire and shelling forcing residents to flee. Many civilians have reportedly sought refuge in nearby communities considered relatively safer, while others are attempting to move toward larger towns. Humanitarian concerns are mounting as families abandon their homes and livelihoods amid the escalating violence. As of the latest reports, authorities had not released an official casualty toll, and the full extent of the damage remains unclear.
The latest surge in fighting follows an announcement by the Congolese army on Tuesday that it had killed Willy Ngoma, the military spokesperson of the M23 rebel group, during military operations in the country’s east. Ngoma was reportedly killed in a drone strike near the mining town of Rubaya in Masisi territory, an area that has witnessed repeated clashes due to its strategic and economic importance. The loss of such a senior figure was seen as a significant blow to the rebel group, although the recapture of the two villages suggests the group remains operational and capable of mounting coordinated offensives.
The M23 rebel group has remained at the centre of the long-running conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Since resurfacing in late 2021 after years of relative dormancy, the group has steadily expanded its presence across parts of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Over time, it has seized several strategic towns and key transport routes, consolidating its influence in mineral-rich areas. Earlier in 2025, the rebels captured the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, marking a major escalation in the conflict and drawing widespread international concern.
The government in Kinshasa, along with the United Nations, has repeatedly accused Rwanda of providing support to the M23 rebel movement. These allegations include claims of military backing and logistical assistance. Kigali has consistently denied any involvement, maintaining that it is not supporting the rebels and rejecting the accusations as unfounded.
Efforts to contain the violence have included diplomatic initiatives aimed at securing a ceasefire. An agreement brokered by Angola earlier this month was declared effective on February 18. However, despite the formal truce, clashes between Congolese government forces and M23 rebels have intensified in recent days, particularly in parts of North Kivu province.
Civil society organisations and local humanitarian groups report that the renewed fighting has displaced thousands of civilians, compounding an already dire humanitarian situation in eastern DR Congo. Many displaced families are in urgent need of shelter, food, and medical assistance as insecurity continues to disrupt access to basic services. Observers warn that without sustained adherence to the ceasefire and renewed diplomatic engagement, the conflict risks further destabilising the region and deepening the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.