The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and AFC/M23 have resumed fighting in parts of South Kivu Province after a ceasefire on December 2, 2025.
The fighting, which pits AFC/M23 fighters against DRC forces allied with Wazalendo and Burundian forces, has been taking place in the Lubarika and Katogota areas in Uvira and Kaziba territories in Walungu since the morning of December 3.
Reports from South Kivu indicate that many residents of Katogota are fleeing to areas including the Kamanyola center, which has been under AFC/M23 control for nearly 10 months.
Due to the heavy gunfire heard in Katogota, some residents of Kamanyola areas such as Kambara and Rugenge have decided to flee.
On December 2, several parts of South Kivu, including Katogota, Luvungi and Lubarika in Uvira, Kaziba in Walungu and areas bordering the road linking Kasita to Mwenga centre, witnessed heavy fighting.
AFC/M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka accused the DRC government forces of starting the fighting, saying they had fired shells into Kamanyola centre, killing three civilians and injuring five others.
In Kaziba sheriff, four members of the same family died in Burherere area in the Mucingwa commune, while six others died in the Muhumba commune.
The spokesperson for the DRC Armed Forces, Gen Maj Sylvain Ekenge, also accused the AFC/M23 of violating the ceasefire agreement signed in Doha, Qatar, by allegedly firing on their positions in Luvungi, Lubarika and Katogota.
