Calm Returns to Kalembe and Kalonge After Night Clashes Between AFC/M23 and Wazalendo

Goma, April 13, 2026 - A fragile calm has returned to Kalembe and Kalonge in North Kivu following overnight clashes between AFC/M23 rebels and Wazalendo fighters in the border area between Masisi and Walikale territories. According to local sources, fighting erupted on Sunday evening around 8:00 p.m. when Wazalendo forces launched coordinated attacks on positions held by AFC/M23 elements. The exchange of fire triggered panic among civilians, many of whom sought refuge inside their homes. Preliminary reports indicate at least two fatalities, including one civilian and one combatant from the AFC/M23. Instances of looting were also reported during the clashes, further worsening the situation for already vulnerable communities. By Monday morning, hostilities had ceased, although tensions remained high. Residents expressed fear of a possible resumption of fighting despite the temporary lull. Sources on the ground indicated that Wazalendo fighters had withdrawn from the area, leaving AFC/M23 in control of the two localities. The incidents are part of a broader pattern of recurring violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where Masisi and Walikale territories remain frequent flashpoints between armed groups. The instability continues to drive population displacement and deepen humanitarian needs across the region. The situation in Kalembe and Kalonge highlights the fragility of security conditions in North Kivu, where localized ceasefires often fail to hold amid ongoing rivalries between armed actors.