At Least Four Killed in Four Days Amid Rising Insecurity

Sake, January 12, 2026 - Residents of Sake, in the Kamuronza group (Masisi territory) of North Kivu, are alarmed by a sharp rise in insecurity in this town located about 27 km west of Goma. Between Monday, January 5, and Thursday, January 8, at least four people were killed. The latest incident occurred on Wednesday evening when armed attackers shot dead two people during a raid in Kimoka, near Sake. A man and his child were reportedly killed by assailants suspected of belonging to the AFC/M23 rebels, who control the area. According to local accounts, the attackers stormed the family home, shot the victims, looted valuables, and fled while firing into the air. This attack came just two days after another deadly incident in the same town that left three victims-two dead and one wounded-bringing the total death toll to four in four days. Residents continue to attribute these killings to AFC/M23 fighters. Faced with this alarming security situation, the population of Sake is calling for urgent reinforcement of security measures in the rebel-held area.