Two Killed and Several Injured in Armed Attack in Rutshuru Amid Renewed Insecurity

RUTSHURU, North Kivu March 29, 2026 - At least two people were killed and several others injured during an armed incursion in Kanyangohe/Masha, Bwito chiefdom, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local sources. The attack occurred during the night of March 27-28, when unidentified armed men stormed the village located near Mwesso in neighboring Masisi territory. Preliminary reports indicate that among the dead are a commander of a local self-defense group linked to AFC/M23 influence in the area and a civilian. Several wounded victims were treated at a nearby health facility, though the exact number of injured remains unclear. The assault triggered panic in the area, forcing residents to flee toward Mwesso and surrounding localities in search of safety. The incident comes amid heightened insecurity in Rutshuru territory, where armed violence continues to affect civilian populations. It also occurs against the backdrop of reported withdrawals by AFC/M23 elements from several localities in North Kivu, a development that appears to be accompanied by renewed instability and sporadic attacks in some areas.