Kibati Remains Under AFC/M23 Control After Three Days of Fighting

WALIKALE, North Kivu March 3, 2026 - After three days of intense clashes between AFC/M23 rebels and FARDC forces supported by the Wazalendo local militia, the town of Kibati in the Luberike area of Walikale territory remains under rebel control. Local sources indicate that government forces, despite having recaptured much of the town during the fighting, ultimately withdrew to the villages of Miba and Mungazi, allowing AFC/M23 fighters to reclaim all lost positions. The clashes have caused significant disruption to logistics and humanitarian aid, with traffic on the Mungazi-Kashebere road completely suspended. Travelers and transporters remain stranded on both sides, awaiting an improvement in security conditions. This development comes amid a broader context of insecurity in Walikale, where repeated confrontations between government forces and AFC/M23 rebels continue to severely affect civilians. Fighting in Kibati initially broke out on Saturday, February 28, and has since escalated, reflecting the ongoing volatility in the region.