M23 Captures New Areas from Wazalendo Fighters

By The Inspirer.

AFC/M23 rebels have taken control of territories previously held by the Wazalendo coalition in Walungu territory, including the town of Nzibira — known for its gold and coltan deposits and considered a strategic gateway to Mwenga and Shabunda territories.

This development followed clashes on Sunday, September 21, 2025, after Wazalendo fighters launched indiscriminate attacks on villages surrounding Nzibira, leaving civilian populations caught in the violence.

M23 forces repelled the offensive, pushing back Wazalendo fighters allied with the FDLR, and seized several strongholds that had been under their control. The areas captured include Cisaza, Cibanda, Muyange, Karhuliza, and Kalongo, which had long been used by Wazalendo, FARDC, and FDLR as bases for launching attacks.

Nzibira town — now out of the Tshisekedi government’s control — carries significant strategic value. For years, residents had been subjected to harassment and extortion by Wazalendo fighters. In addition to its rich deposits of gold and coltan, the Congolese army (FARDC) had used the town as a staging ground for military operations against M23, while presenting a false picture of stability to authorities in Kinshasa.

Strategically, the fall of Nzibira opens a corridor for M23 advances into Mwenga and Shabunda in South Kivu Province.

Radio Okapi, a broadcaster aligned with President Tshisekedi’s government, reported that Wazalendo forces withdrew “to protect civilian lives” in areas lost to M23.

According to information obtained by Umuseke, several self-styled Wazalendo generals — including Maheshe Simba, Josuè Nyambamba, Mubangu Mussa, Ngandu alias Baleine, Justin Mabala, Kafufa Windema, and Ndarumanga Muyololo — were routed by M23 during the fighting. They had been coordinating with a senior FARDC operations commander in the region. After their defeat, some fled towards Mwenga while others retreated into Shabunda.

The retreating commanders failed to evacuate weapons and ammunition recently supplied by the Congolese government to prevent Nzibira from falling into M23 hands — a failure that now facilitates the rebels’ advance toward Mwenga and Shabunda.

Meanwhile, on the same Sunday, FARDC, Wazalendo, and FDLR launched major attacks against AFC/M23-held zones in Masisi and Walikale territories, once again leaving civilians to bear the brunt of the conflict.