Heavy fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels resumed on Tuesday along the Northern Front in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. In the early hours of the morning, intense gunfire exchanges occurred in the Lubero territory, specifically in areas like Mambasa, a buffer zone between the two forces. The fighting began at 4:00 AM on Tuesday, February 18, and continued along the Mambasa-Ndoluma, Mambasa-Lubango, Mambasa-Mutongo, and Bingi-Mutongo roads, approximately 60 kilometers from Lubero-center.
Explosions from heavy and light weapons were heard as far as Kanyabayonga, Kirumba, and Butsorovya, south of Lubero-center. Gunfire was also reported in Alimbongo and Kitsombiro. Sources from the area say the fighting has caused significant displacement of civilians.
A lull in the gunfire had been observed since December 2024, after the M23 rebels shifted focus to the southern front, resulting in the fall of Goma city, Goma International Airport in North Kivu province, Bukavu city, Kavumu airport, and the Rusizi border in the Southern Province. Neither of the belligerents has issued a statement regarding the latest clashes.
Despite last month’s summit in Tanzania, where East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, no significant actions have been taken on the ground.
