Fierce fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and its allied coalition, and the M23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) rebels, has intensified across the Kivu region.
The clashes, now in their seventh day, have heightened tensions amid reports that Lt Col Willy Ngoma, the military spokesperson of the M23/AFC, was killed in a drone strike. Ngoma is reported to have died at around 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday in Rubaya, a coltan-mining town in North Kivu Province.
Sources say the strike targeted a residential house at Kasuku Farm, where he was allegedly staying. The FARDC-allied militia coalition known as Wazalendo (Patriots) claimed responsibility for the strike.
However, M23/AFC officials have not publicly confirmed Ngoma’s death. On Wednesday afternoon, heavy fighting was reported in Kasenyi village in Kibabi 1st Groupement, Masisi Territory, and in Mahanga village in Nyamaboko 1st Groupement, Kalehe Territory.
Residents said the clashes followed a rebel counter-offensive after government forces reportedly recaptured several strategic positions. In a statement issued on Wednesday, M23/AFC spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused FARDC and its allies of launching a large-scale offensive earlier in the day.
He said the attacks targeted Rutigita and Rugezi in Minembwe, Fizi Territory, as well as Kitazungura and surrounding areas in Kalehe Territory. According to Kanyuka, the military operations involved armed drones and heavy artillery, which he alleged struck densely populated areas in violation of international humanitarian law.
“On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, the Kinshasa regime crossed a new threshold of violence by launching a large-scale offensive. The coalition forces resorted to armed drones and heavy artillery to strike densely populated areas as well as our positions, in blatant violation of international humanitarian law,” Kanyuka said.
He added that the attacks had caused casualties, mass displacement of civilians, and worsened the humanitarian crisis. Bertrand Bisimwa, the president of the M23/AFC, also accused the government of violating the ceasefire agreement by launching what he described as a “generalised offensive” across multiple front lines.
“We note that the Kinshasa regime has, once again, trampled the ceasefire by launching a generalised offensive across all front lines and beyond,” Bisimwa said.
He described the operation as coordinated and extensive, warning of the risk of further escalation. Bisimwa also expressed concern over what he termed the absence of visible international or regional intervention.
Neither Kanyuka nor Bisimwa addressed the reported killing of Ngoma in their statements. As fighting continues, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated. Residents from Kazinga, Ndete, Chugi, Kaniro, and Muhanga villages have reportedly fled their homes in search of safety.
The renewed hostilities raise uncertainty over the future of ongoing peace talks reportedly taking place in Doha, Qatar, and whether diplomatic efforts can succeed amid escalating violence. Since its resurgence in 2022 under Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, the M23/AFC has repeatedly accused the Congolese government of ceasefire violations.
The government, in turn, has consistently alleged that Rwanda backs the rebel group, claims denied by both Kigali and M23/AFC. M23/AFC says its campaign is aimed at combating corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the Democratic Republic of Congo’s political leadership. In early 2025, the group launched a rapid offensive across eastern Congo, capturing several key towns and intensifying fears of a wider regional conflict.