Buhimba Falls Back Under AFC/M23 Control, Triggering New Displacements

WALIKALE March 2, 2026 - The village of Buhimba, located in the Waloa Yungu group of Walikale territory, North Kivu, returned to AFC/M23 rebel control on Sunday, March 1, after intense clashes with the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) and allied Wazalendo fighters. According to local sources, the rebels advanced from Kilongo in the Osso Banyungu sector of Masisi territory and launched an assault on government positions in Buhimba. Following several hours of fierce fighting, FARDC forces retreated to Ngenge, west of Buhimba, leaving the village in rebel hands. The recapture has sparked a fresh wave of displacement. Residents from Ngenge and Kangati are fleeing for safety, with some taking refuge in the bush and others moving toward Kimua, according to the chief of Waloa Yungu. This development intensifies the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the area, already strained by persistent insecurity. Local sources warn that the fighting could spread to surrounding villages, as clashes persist along the border between Walikale and Masisi territories. The AFC/M23’s seizure of Buhimba comes amid a resurgence of hostilities in multiple strategic locations across eastern North Kivu, highlighting the volatility of the region.