Fighting between M23/AFC rebels and the Congolese army, backed by Wazalendo fighters, intensified in parts of North and South Kivu provinces on Sunday, worsening insecurity and raising further concerns about the humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Clashes broke out in Kacyayi, Kumungoti, Marangara and surrounding areas in Masisi Territory, North Kivu Province, at around 3:00am, according to residents. Fighting was also reported in Kuwihene and neighbouring areas along Rugezi Road in the Minembwe region of South Kivu, where residents said clashes began at approximately 6:15am.
Lawrence Kanyuka, the M23/AFC spokesperson, confirmed the fighting in a statement issued on Sunday. He accused the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and their allied forces of launching simultaneous ground offensives in the affected areas, saying the attacks were worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Kanyuka further accused the Congolese army of violating ceasefire declarations by resuming attacks. He alleged that FARDC had deployed foreign mercenaries and fighters from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Rwandan rebel group, to the front lines, actions he said violated international conventions.
He said M23/AFC could not remain passive in the face of what he described as attacks against its positions. FARDC had not publicly responded to the latest accusations by the time of publication.
The latest clashes come amid reports that Tim Kennedy, a retired US Army Green Beret reportedly operating in the conflict under Erik Prince, a former US Navy SEAL and founder of private military company Blackwater, was shot and wounded in South Kivu.
Reports indicate that Kennedy was injured in an ambush allegedly carried out by M23/AFC rebels on September 17, 2026. The incident reportedly left 20 soldiers dead, including Congolese army personnel and Justin Conaglen, a former New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) officer reportedly operating in South Kivu under Blackwater.
M23/AFC, FARDC and Blackwater had not publicly commented on the reported incident by the time of publication. The circumstances surrounding the alleged ambush and the reported casualties had not been independently established in the information available for this report.
The renewed fighting comes as a delegation from the African Union Panel of Facilitators continues a regional mission aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC.
The delegation comprises former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde.
The team first travelled to Goma, where it held talks with M23/AFC leaders, before proceeding to Kigali for discussions with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
The delegation is currently in Kinshasa for talks with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. It is expected to visit Uganda and Burundi after completing its engagements in the Congolese capital.
The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23, allegations that Kigali and the rebel movement have denied.
M23/AFC says its armed campaign seeks to address what it describes as corruption, discrimination and other grievances within the Congolese government.
Despite ongoing regional and international diplomatic efforts, fighting continues to threaten civilian safety and displace communities in parts of North and South Kivu, underscoring the challenges facing efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.
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