The villages of Kasenyi and Luke, located in Masisi territory in North Kivu, once again fell under the control of AFC/M23 rebels on Thursday, February 26, 2026, following intense clashes with government forces and allied Wazalendo fighters.
According to several sources contacted by ACTUALITE.CD, the AFC/M23 launched a counter-offensive on Wednesday, just one day after losing the two villages. Fierce fighting reportedly centered on strategic positions in both localities, triggering panic among residents.
The recapture of Kasenyi and Luke underscores the volatility of the security situation in this part of Masisi, where front lines remain fluid and unpredictable.
Security and civilian sources say rebel reinforcements from neighboring Rutshuru territory were deployed to the Masisi front lines. The troop movements are believed to have strengthened the rebels’ offensive capacity and facilitated the swift retaking of the two villages.
The latest military developments are shifting the balance of power on the ground and raising fears of a renewed escalation in the region.
Local stakeholders — including customary authorities, civil society members and community leaders — warn that the area, already weakened by months of persistent insecurity, could face intensified violence.
Civilians, often trapped between the warring sides, remain the primary victims of the recurring clashes. Population movements toward relatively safer areas have been observed, although no official casualty figures have yet been released.
Amid chronic instability in Masisi, the renewed takeover of Kasenyi and Luke by the AFC/M23 risks further complicating stabilization efforts in North Kivu, where ongoing armed confrontations continue to fuel both security and humanitarian crises.
