Reports from the Democratic Republic of Congo indicate that on Wednesday, heavy fighting broke out near Kahuzi-Biega National Park, in Kabare Territory, South Kivu, between Wazalendo militias and AFC-M23 forces. This intense battle, which caused a large wave of civilian displacement, ended with M23 rebels capturing the area of Kabushwa.
According to sources from the region, M23 forces launched an attack on Wazalendo positions established in Kabushwa village, located on the edge of the park in the Irhambi Katana groupement.
This marks the first confrontation between the two sides in this area since AFC/M23 took control of several parts of Kabare Territory in February 2025.
The report, cited by Radio Okapi, states that due to the severity of the clashes, many residents fled the area in search of safer locations.
Further reports from the area confirm that after hours of fighting, Wazalendo forces retreated, leaving Kabushwa under the control of M23 rebels.
Until now, Kabushwa had not experienced any combat, but it is now part of the territories controlled by rebels fighting against President Tshisekedi’s government.
Additionally, illegal exploiters of natural resources in Kahuzi-Biega National Park reportedly abandoned the area and scattered to other regions.
