Reports from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo indicate that joint forces, including the armed groups FDLR and Wazalendo, allegedly carried out deadly attacks on civilians in Kalehe, South Kivu, on the night of March 23–24, 2026.
According to Lawrence Kanyuka, five civilians were killed and one seriously injured in the village of Cumuyaga, while livestock was looted. In Bibatama, six civilians were killed and another severely wounded. The attacks targeted non-combatants, reflecting continued patterns of terror and looting in the region.
AFC/M23 reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and their property, pledging to respond to threats against local security.
Eastern Congo, including Kalehe and other areas of North and South Kivu, remains highly unstable, with multiple armed groups such as Wazalendo, FDLR, and AFC/M23 operating in the region.
Analysts note that the violence is driven by longstanding governance challenges, competition over natural resources, and political and ethnic tensions. They stress that lasting stability will require political dialogue, international cooperation, and prioritizing civilian protection.
