Residents in the southern part of Idjwi Island woke up to uncertainty on Tuesday after reports emerged that AFC/M23 fighters had abandoned several of their positions overnight, while renewed clashes were simultaneously reported in Masisi territory in North Kivu Province.
According to local residents from the Ntabuka Chiefdom, particularly in the Mugote area, unusual military movements were observed during the night of Monday into Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
Witnesses said some fighters appeared to burn parts of their own installations before leaving the area. Among the sites reportedly set on fire were positions located near the CEPAC Moria church, an incident that created fear and confusion among civilians already living under tense security conditions.
Several residents said the movements began around 8 p.m., with some claiming they heard continuous boat activity on Lake Kivu throughout the night. Others reported seeing fighters moving toward different directions under the cover of darkness.
By Tuesday morning, locals stated that many of the areas previously controlled by AFC/M23 no longer had visible fighter presence.
While some residents believe the fighters crossed toward Goma by boat during the night, others suspect the movement could represent a tactical repositioning rather than a full withdrawal from the island.
The developments in Idjwi came as AFC/M23 also announced renewed fighting in Masisi territory.
In a statement released on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the movement said coalition forces allied to the Kinshasa government launched what it described as major attacks starting at around 10:30 a.m.
The group claimed the attacks targeted the areas of Mitimingi, Katoyi, and nearby locations using combat drones and heavy artillery.
The latest escalation has once again heightened fears among civilians in North Kivu, where years of armed conflict have repeatedly displaced communities and deepened insecurity.
Residents from several affected areas say many families continue fleeing their homes, with some seeking refuge in displacement camps while others move toward areas they consider relatively safer.
Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has remained trapped in cycles of violence involving multiple armed groups for years, leaving millions of civilians exposed to instability, displacement, and humanitarian hardship.
By the time of publication, authorities in Kinshasa had not yet publicly commented on reports concerning AFC/M23’s reported withdrawal from parts of southern Idjwi or the attacks the group says were carried out in Masisi.
