The March 23 Movement (M23) has claimed the capture of Katale town in Masisi territory, North Kivu province. The town was captured on Friday after heavy fighting with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers and militia coalition under their umbrella Wazalendo (patriots).
Katale is the last lock of the capital of the territory of Masisi. Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma, the M23 rebels’ military spokesperson, released a statement in the wee hours of Saturday morning saying that Katale in Masisi now breathes the air of liberation. He claimed that the government army and coalition registered several fighter losses, and M23 seized ammunition. “Katale in Masisi breathes the air of liberation. Several losses on the enemy side, several weapons and ammunition recovered by the lions of Sarambwe”, says Ngoma in a statement.
Telesphore Mitondeke, President of the civil society of Masisi says that the fall of Katale into the hands of the rebels caused massive displacement of civilians in the nearby areas of Rushebere and Masisi-town, fearing further escalation of fighting since M23 rebels are targeting to advance and capture Masisi town.
The government army is yet to release a statement about the matter. On Saturday, according to locals, heavy fighting pitted areas of Ngungu locality, Ufamandu groupement Masisi territory.
On Friday FARDC, Wazalendo positions of Lukofu and Kaniro in Bashali Mukoto groupement were also taken by the M23.
The conflict between M23 rebels led by Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, and the Congolese government began in March 2022. Rebels now control significant parts of North Kivu province.
In August 2024, the M23 leadership allied with Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, former chairman of the DRC’s electoral commission and the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) leader, further escalating their insurgency.
The DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels, a claim denied by both Rwanda and the M23. The rebels maintain that their fight is against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the Congolese leadership.