By KT Reporter
The security situation in Mushaki, Masisi Territory, North Kivu Province, and Gakenke, Minembwe, South Kivu Province, turned volatile on Saturday morning after soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and coalition forces bombed positions of the March 23 Movement / Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) rebels.
Residents reported that drones targeted M23/AFC positions in Mushaki, approximately 30 kilometres from the town of Sake, at around 5:00 a.m., triggering explosions that also hit surrounding areas, causing panic and forcing civilians to flee their homes.
At around 6:00 a.m., additional bombs struck M23/AFC positions and nearby areas in Gakenke, Minembwe.
By 10:00 a.m., M23/AFC spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka released a statement confirming the bombings in both locations. While no exact casualty figures were provided, Kanyuka claimed that several civilians were killed, others were injured, and homes were destroyed.
Kanyuka accused FARDC and its coalition forces of indiscriminately targeting populated areas, alleging that the attacks form part of a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing.
He also referenced an attack on March 6, 2026, in Kibanda Mangobo, Walungu Territory, in which eight civilians were killed, and 12 were injured.
“At 05:15, the coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime carried out intensive and indiscriminate bombings targeting the densely populated areas of Mushaki and its surroundings. These blind strikes, conducted without any regard for human life, killed several innocent civilians and destroyed numerous homes.” said Kanyuka.
“At 06:00, these same forces launched a new deadly attack against the heavily populated area of Gakenke, in Minembwe, thus continuing their systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing,” he added.
“On Friday, March 6, 2026, the forces conducted drone and heavy artillery attacks against the densely populated areas of Kibanda Mangobo. The provisional toll stands at eight civilians killed and 12 injured.” Kanyuka revealed.
“In the face of this brutal aggression, the forces of the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC) continue their mission with professionalism, discipline, and a high sense of responsibility to defend and protect civilian populations victimized by the war imposed by the Kinshasa regime.” He added that the attacks in Gakenke at 6:00 a.m. represent a continued campaign targeting civilians.
FARDC and coalition forces had not yet issued a response at the time of reporting. The renewed fighting follows rising tensions after the reported killing of M23/AFC political spokesperson Willy Ngoma, a lieutenant colonel, in a drone strike by FARDC in Rubaya. The escalation raises questions about whether ongoing peace talks in Doha will yield positive results.
Since its resurgence in 2022 under leaders Bertrand Bisimwa and Sultan Makenga, M23/AFC has repeatedly clashed with the Congolese government over alleged ceasefire violations.
The Congolese government has consistently accused Rwanda of backing M23 rebels, claims denied by both Kigali and the group.
M23/AFC states its objective is to fight corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the country’s political leadership. In early 2025, the group launched a rapid offensive across eastern Congo, capturing key towns and heightening fears of a broader regional conflict.
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