A renewed escalation in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has emerged after the March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) threatened to extend its operations and capture Beni Territory in North Kivu Province.
The announcement comes amid continued instability in the region, where Beni Territory remains outside M23/AFC control, despite previous attempts by the group to advance northwards into Lubero and the wider Beni-Butembo axis, operations that were later repelled by government forces.
The threat was made in Goma City on Sunday during commemorations marking four years since the rebels seized the Bunagana border crossing on the Uganda–DRC frontier from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). Speaking to journalists, AFC Coordinator Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo said the movement intends to extend its administrative control to additional territories, including Beni, and questioned the role of the United Nations peacekeeping mission should such advances materialize.
“The authorities you see in the areas under the control of the AFC/M23 are not transitional. They are the permanent leaders of these areas. Moreover, we will soon extend this administration to areas like Beni. I even asked the new head of MONUSCO, James Swan, whether the UN mission will relocate its offices and teams again during our next conquest of the Beni region,” Nangaa says.
Nangaa further stated that structures already established in areas under M23/AFC control are intended to be permanent, not transitional, as the group seeks to expand its governance footprint. He also reiterated the movement’s stated objective of transforming the country through what he described as an end to tribalism, corruption, and violence, while promoting peace and good governance.
The Congolese government had not issued an official response to the latest remarks by Monday. However, analysts warn that such statements risk undermining ongoing regional and international peace efforts aimed at stabilizing eastern Congo. Meanwhile, clashes continue on multiple fronts in South Kivu Province. On Saturday, June 13, 2026, FARDC Acting Spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mak Hazukay Mongba said government forces had recaptured Mikenge from M23/AFC fighters and allied groups, including Twirwaneho and Red Tabara, following heavy fighting.
The renewed fighting underscores the fragile security situation in eastern DRC, where control of territory continues to shift between armed groups and government forces, complicating ceasefire efforts. Both the Congolese government and M23/AFC have continued to accuse each other of violating existing ceasefire arrangements. The government has also repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the rebellion, allegations denied by both Rwanda and M23/AFC leadership.
The conflict, which intensified again in early 2025 with rapid rebel advances across several strategic towns, continues to raise fears of a broader regional escalation in the Great Lakes region-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
