Heavy fighting continues in the Katoyi sector and the Bahunde chiefdom, south of Masisi territory, where clashes between Wazalendo militias allied to the FARDC and AFC/M23 rebels have persisted for nearly four days.
Local sources say pro-government militias pushed back rebel offensives and retook several localities previously under AFC/M23 control. Witnesses reported sustained gunfire from early morning until evening Friday across villages of the Ufamandu I group.
The confrontations involved a coalition of Mai-Mai Lamuka and Raia Mutomboki fighters led by Noah Maachano against AFC/M23 elements. After the battles, the villages of Miruta, Ngololo, Kanyatsi, Samaria, and Mushebere were reportedly recaptured.
Other Wazalendo factions, notably PARECO units under commanders Mutayomba and Kigingi, are also said to have regained control of the Katoyi center and Nkokwe village in neighboring Kibabi group around mid-morning Friday.
Despite a ceasefire announced under Angolan mediation and expected to take effect on February 18, fighting has continued across the area. The violence has triggered renewed displacement, though some residents began cautiously returning home Friday evening.
Civil society organizations warn the situation remains volatile and could deteriorate at any moment, urging stronger diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation in this strategic zone of eastern DRC.
