AFC/M23 Withdrawal Reported From Several Localities in North Kivu’s Walikale Territory

WALIKALE, North Kivu March 27, 2026 - Movements attributed to AFC/M23 elements were observed on March 26 in several localities of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including Minjenje and Mpety in the Kisimba group, as well as Kanune in the Ikobo group, according to local administrative and security sources. Witnesses reported the departure of armed fighters from Minjenje and Mpety, with personnel and equipment seen moving through the Banakindi area. In Kalembe, a key transit point, residents observed convoys of fighters traveling both by vehicle and on foot, raising further confirmation of a coordinated pullback. Security sources also indicated that similar movements took place in Kanune, where armed elements reportedly left the area in the early afternoon, heading toward Miriki in neighboring Lubero territory. Residual presence, however, was still reported in parts of the affected zones. No official communication has been issued by AFC/M23 leadership regarding the reported withdrawals. The movements come days after a meeting of the group’s officers in Minjenje along the Kalembe-Mpety axis, according to local accounts. On the ground, interpretations remain divided. Some observers describe the movements as a tactical repositioning, while others among the civilian population suspect a maneuver aimed at avoiding security pressure or reshaping frontlines. The developments occur against a fragile security backdrop in Walikale, where recent clashes between AFC/M23 elements and Wazalendo fighters have triggered population displacement toward safer areas, including Miriki. Many residents remain cautious, awaiting clearer signs of stability and the possibility of safe returns for displaced communities.