The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has successfully reclaimed several key towns in its eastern region that had been under the control of armed rebel groups for months, according to the DRC military.
The recaptured areas include Ngungu, a critical town near Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, as well as several other towns in South Kivu province. These areas had been occupied by rebels for months, and their recovery is considered a significant achievement for the Congolese army.
Military spokesperson, Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko, confirmed the victories, listing towns such as Lumbishi, Ruzirantaka, Kamatale, Bitagata, and Kabingo among those retaken by the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC). Kaiko attributed these successes to a joint military operation involving the leadership of the two provinces.
Despite the progress made by government forces, the situation in the region remains volatile. Fighting persists in other areas, particularly in the Masisi region, where several villages, including the Masisi Center, remain under rebel control. The region, rich in minerals and strategically located near the border with Rwanda, has been a battleground for decades, with more than 100 armed groups vying for power.
The M23 rebel group, which has been in conflict with the DRC army since 2022, continues to advance in parts of the region. The fighting has displaced nearly two million people, and the DRC government, along with the United Nations, has accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels with military assistance—a claim that Rwanda denies.
The ongoing conflict has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with more than six million lives lost and approximately seven million people displaced since the late 1990s. Villagers who have returned to the recaptured towns expressed mixed feelings, with many still worried about their safety.
“We are back in Ngungu, but the security situation is not stable,” said local resident, who added that people continue to die despite the military presence. “Just 30 minutes ago, we buried someone,” he noted, illustrating the ongoing threat of violence in the area.
Another Ngungu resident, expressed similar fears. “M23 has been shelling our homes. We just want to find a safe place for our families,” she said, underscoring the continuous danger the population faces.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, with many villages still inaccessible to aid. David Munkley, director of World Vision in Eastern DRC, warned that aid organizations are struggling to meet the needs of the displaced population. “We are overwhelmed by the conditions here. The future looks grim, and we’re unable to help everyone,” he stated.
In Masisi, displaced camps are stretched to their limits as more people seek refuge. The situation is compounded by a lack of humanitarian workers, making it even more challenging to provide assistance. “We’re doing our best to help, but the shortage of responders is making things difficult,” said Romain Briey, coordinator for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the region.
As the military continues to push back rebel forces, the people of eastern DRC are left to grapple with the aftermath of years of conflict, displacement, and uncertainty.