DRC: M23 rebels capture gold-rich Nzibira town in South Kivu

The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have captured Nzibira town and surrounding areas southwest of Walungu territory in South Kivu province, following days of heavy clashes with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and allied militia groups.

On Friday, M23’s deputy commander of operations and intelligence, Gen Bernard Maheshe Byamungu, addressed residents who had remained in Nzibira despite the fighting.

The following day, the group’s political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, issued a statement confirming the takeover, accusing government forces of repeatedly violating ceasefire agreements by deploying drones and fighter jets in civilian-populated areas.

“The Kinshasa regime continues its deadly escalation in blatant violation of the ceasefire and the Doha peace process,” Kanyuka said.

“This regime is intensifying its campaign of ethnic cleansing and coordinating attacks on civilians from its headquarters in Uvira. The AFC/M23 remains determined to protect civilian populations and neutralise any threat at its source, as demonstrated in Nzibira.”

Military officials from the 3rd Defence Zone had earlier warned of intensified attacks by the AFC/M23 coalition across North and South Kivu, underscoring the worsening security crisis.

Nzibira is a strategically significant town, rich in cassiterite and gold, and has long served as a critical base for FARDC operations against armed groups in the region. Its fall represents a major operational setback for government forces and opens a potential corridor for M23 to advance deeper into Shabunda territory, analysts say.

The seizure of Nzibira further undermines confidence in the Qatar-mediated peace talks, which were aimed at ending the insurgency that reignited in 2022.

M23 has maintained control of key areas across both Kivu provinces, while the DRC government continues to accuse Rwanda of backing the rebels, allegations denied by both Kigali and M23, which claims it is fighting corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the Congolese leadership.