On Sunday, March 9, the M23 movement group seized control of Nyabiondo, a strategic area located in Masisi Territory within North Kivu Province, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
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According to reports, M23 forces captured Nyabiondo following intense fighting that pitted them against the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), who were bolstered by militias belonging to the Alliance of Patriots for a Free and Sovereign Congo (APCLS), a group under the command of General Janvier Karairi.
The battle for Nyabiondo was reportedly fierce and prolonged, with both sides deploying significant manpower and resources. The area, which M23 now controls, is considered highly strategic as it serves as the administrative center of the Osso-Banyungu sector. Geographically, Nyabiondo lies approximately 110 kilometers from Goma, the capital city of North Kivu Province, and serves as a vital link between different parts of Masisi and neighboring territories.
According to “Radio Okapi”, a radio station supported by the United Nations, the fighting took place under extremely harsh weather conditions, including a heavy hailstorm, which worsened the already dire situation for civilians. As a result, a massive wave of displacement occurred as terrified residents fled their homes to seek safety. Most of them are said to have moved toward Kashebere, a nearby locality, in search of refuge from the ongoing clashes.
Furthermore, “Radio Okapi” reported that the fall of Nyabiondo represents not only a significant military gain for M23 but also a strategic breakthrough. The capture of this area has effectively opened a new corridor that could allow M23 to expand its operations into Walikale Territory, one of the few remaining regions in North Kivu that had not yet fallen under movement control. Analysts fear that this development may enable M23 to consolidate its presence further and possibly link up with other armed groups operating in the region, thereby worsening the security crisis in eastern Congo.
The situation remains fluid, with reports indicating that both government forces and allied militias are attempting to regroup and plan counter-offensives. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations have expressed deep concern over the growing number of displaced civilians and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the region.
