Ten Young People Arrested by AFC/M23 Rebels in Kalembe and Kalonge

February 20, 2026 - North Kivu, DRC - AFC/M23 rebels arrested a dozen young people overnight from February 19 to 20 in Kalembe and Kalonge, towns on the border between the Masisi and Walikale territories, according to local sources. The youths are accused of collaborating with the Wazalendo groups, which are active in several areas of North Kivu. Sources report that the arrests were carried out through a cordon and search operation, with the young people taken from their homes during the night and transported to an unknown location. Families of the detainees have reported no news since the arrests, expressing deep concern over the youths’ fate. “We don’t know where they’ve been taken or the precise charges against them,” said a relative of one of the arrested individuals. Local security and administrative authorities in Walikale confirmed the arrests but provided no details on the exact number of detainees, charges, or detention sites. AFC/M23 officials have yet to comment on the operation. The arrests occur amid a tense security environment, marked by ongoing clashes between various armed groups in the region. Among residents, the operation has heightened fear, as accusations of collaboration are often difficult to verify and may be used to exert pressure on local youth. Families and community leaders are calling for transparency and urgent information regarding the fate of those detained, as the region continues to grapple with persistent insecurity and instability.