M23 Rebel Fighters in DR Congo Take Control of Strategic Town in Country’s East

M23 rebel fighters have seized Masisi, a key administrative hub in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), intensifying the group’s control in the conflict-ridden region. The town, about 80km from Goma, fell on Saturday, according to provincial parliament member Alexis Bahunga. Another deputy, Jean-Pierre Ayobangira Safari, confirmed the capture, calling it a temporary loss for government forces.

The Congo River Alliance, which includes M23, announced that rebels reached Masisi’s center by Saturday afternoon. Thousands of civilians have fled, seeking refuge in nearby areas, including Goma, already overwhelmed with four million displaced people, Al Jazeera’s Alain Uaykani reported. “The security situation in Masisi remains tense,” Uaykani added, as M23 consolidates its second major territorial gain.

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi maintains a hardline stance, refusing direct negotiations with the group. Meanwhile, international diplomacy has faltered; peace talks mediated by Angola collapsed in December amid disagreements between the DRC and Rwanda. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting M23, a claim Rwanda denies.

M23, rooted in North Kivu province, emerged over a decade ago, claiming to defend the Tutsi minority from Hutu-led militias who fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide. Their actions have displaced nearly a million people in the past year alone, according to the United Nations.

The fall of Masisi, a town of 40,000 known for its agricultural and mineral wealth, heightens fears that rebel advances may soon threaten Goma and Bukavu, vital political and economic centers. As the conflict escalates, the humanitarian toll worsens, leaving millions in desperate need of aid. M23’s continued gains underscore the fragility of peace in one of Africa’s most resource-rich yet volatile regions.

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