AFC/M23 Retakes Kasenyi and Luke After Fierce Clashes

MASISI, North Kivu February 26, 2026 - The villages of Kasenyi and Luke in Masisi territory fell back under AFC/M23 rebel control on Thursday, February 26, following intense fighting with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and Wazalendo militias. The counter-offensive, launched on Wednesday, February 25, came just one day after the rebels had lost both villages. Fighting was concentrated around strategic positions in Kasenyi and Luke, causing panic among local residents. Reinforcements from Rutshuru territory reportedly bolstered the rebels’ capabilities, facilitating the recapture of the two villages and altering the balance of power on the ground. The security situation remains volatile, with front lines shifting unpredictably. Local authorities, civil society actors, and community leaders have expressed concerns over a potential escalation of violence in an area already weakened by months of persistent insecurity. The civilian population, caught between the warring parties, continues to bear the brunt of the clashes. Displacement has been reported, with residents seeking safer areas, though official casualty figures are not yet available. In a region marked by chronic instability, the recapture of Kasenyi and Luke by AFC/M23 threatens to further complicate stabilization efforts, exacerbating the security and humanitarian crisis in Masisi and greater North Kivu.