FARDC Retakes Katoyi From Rwanda-Backed M23 in North Kivu

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) announced on Monday, December 29, that they had regained control of Katoyi, the chief town of the sector of the same name in Masisi territory, North Kivu, following intense fighting with AFC/M23 rebels.

According to Radio Okapi, the Congolese army launched a counteroffensive on Sunday after the armed group had controlled Katoyi since mid-November 2025. The occupation had enabled the rebels to extend pressure on surrounding areas, notably Ufamandu, Matanda, and Nyamaboko, worsening insecurity in the southern part of Masisi.

Local security sources cited by Radio Okapi indicated that FARDC units, supported by Wazalendo fighters from the PARECO movement, retook the town center around midday on Sunday after coordinated operations on several fronts.

In addition to Katoyi’s center, at least four strategic positions were recaptured during the offensive, including Mitimingi, Kahundu, Kasheke, and Kakoka. Fighting reportedly began around 4:00 a.m. and gradually subsided later in the evening.

Rebel fighters captured and weapons seized

Military sources told Radio Okapi that the clashes resulted in losses on both sides. At least 28 AFC/M23 fighters were captured, and 12 weapons of various calibers were recovered from the rebel forces during the operation.

Despite the military gains, the security situation remains unstable. Local civil society organizations reported continued volatility in and around Katoyi, warning that armed elements may still be present in nearby areas.

Civilians displaced amid renewed fighting

The fighting has triggered new population movements. According to civil society actors cited by Radio Okapi, several hundred residents fled Katoyi to seek refuge in neighboring villages, while others remain hiding in surrounding bush areas for fear of renewed violence.

United Nations expert reports, reinforced by UN Security Council Resolution 2773, have confirmed Rwanda’s military support to the M23 rebellion, a position also publicly affirmed by the United States at the UN Security Council. These findings establish that the armed group operates with direct external backing, despite Rwanda’s continued denials.

For Kinshasa, the recapture of Katoyi is part of broader military efforts to restore state authority in Masisi and protect civilian populations affected by persistent conflict driven by foreign-backed armed groups.

— Reporting based on Radio Okapi