M23 Rebels Retreat from Few Positions in Eastern DR Congo
According to security sources cited by local media, the rebels began moving on Monday from villages they had occupied for over a year in North Kivu’s Lubero territory. Following their pullback from towns including Lunyasenge, Bukununu, Musiya, Katondi, and Kipese, the fighters reportedly established camps in Alimbongo, Kirumba, and Kanyabayonga.
North Kivu Governor Evariste Kakule Somo confirmed on Thursday that he had observed an “effective withdrawal” from several areas and urged residents to remain calm, noting that the movement is part of the “implementation of peace agreements, particularly the US-brokered peace accords.”
The withdrawal follows a “historic” peace and economic agreement signed on Dec. 4, 2025, between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, intended to end the conflict in eastern Congo. The agreement builds on a peace accord facilitated by US President Donald Trump in June of last year.
Despite these developments, local sources report that the security situation remains fragile due to ongoing clashes between AFC/M23 and government forces.
Meanwhile, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused the army and allied pro-government fighters of overnight attacks using “kamikaze drones” in the Mikenke locality and surrounding areas, in a post on X on Friday. There has been no official response from authorities in Kinshasa regarding these claims.
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