FARDC and Wazalendo Take Control of Several Kisimba Villages After AFC/M23 Withdrawal

Kisimba, Walikale, North Kivu April 3, 2026 - Several villages in the Kisimba area, including Ndumbi, Buma, Iteya, Buhaya, Mpety, and Minjenje, have come under the control of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and allied Wazalendo fighters following the withdrawal of AFC/M23 rebels without reported clashes. The shift in control marks a significant change in the security landscape of this part of Walikale Territory in North Kivu Province, where frontlines have remained fluid amid ongoing fighting between armed groups. The rebel withdrawal reportedly occurred without resistance, allowing government forces and their local allies to quickly reoccupy the affected villages and reestablish positions on the ground. Following the pullback, AFC/M23 fighters are believed to have repositioned toward Malemo, a locality near Kalembe in neighboring Masisi Territory, suggesting a tactical redeployment rather than a full retreat from the broader area. The development has created mixed reactions among local communities. While some residents cautiously welcome the return of government control and hope for improved stability, others remain fearful that the situation could quickly reverse, given the region’s history of repeated changes in territorial control. Military forces are currently consolidating their positions in the recaptured villages in an effort to secure the area and prevent any possible counteroffensive, as tensions remain high despite the absence of active clashes at present.