Fresh fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has drawn attention to Masisi Territory after the FDLR accused AFC/M23 fighters of launching a major offensive that resulted in the loss of one of its most important military training installations.
According to Lt. Scramento, spokesperson for the military wing of the FDLR, the attack targeted facilities located in Rutangara, within Bibwe locality of Bashali Mokoto. The area has long served as a strategic center for the movement’s military education programs and administrative operations.
Speaking to local media, Lt. Scramento claimed that AFC/M23 launched the assault on June 28, 2026, with the objective of dismantling the group’s military training infrastructure. He described the operation as a direct strike against the FDLR’s command and education system.
The area reportedly hosted the ESM (Ecole Supérieure Militaire), regarded as the organization’s highest military academy, as well as the headquarters of the movement’s commissariat services.
Sources familiar with developments on the ground indicate that intense combat erupted shortly after AFC/M23 forces advanced toward the Rutangara positions. The clashes quickly expanded into surrounding areas as FDLR fighters attempted to hold their defensive lines.
Local reports suggest that FDLR commanders called for reinforcements as the battle intensified. Among the units reportedly involved were the CRAP Battalion under the command of Lt. Col. Rurakabije Giyome and fighters associated with the Nyatura Abazungu group who arrived from the Cyitso area.
Witnesses described hours of sustained combat involving multiple fronts before AFC/M23 fighters eventually gained control of the strategic military complex. By the end of the confrontation, the movement was reported to have taken over facilities used for training senior officers and non-commissioned officers.
Several structures connected to the military academy were reportedly destroyed or burned during the fighting. Among the affected facilities was the ESM academy, which had served as a central institution for military instruction and leadership development.
Within FDLR’s organizational structure, military education is overseen by Brigadier General Rishirabake Bernard, widely known as Manzi Mutunzi. He is assisted by Brigadier General Korerimana Matovu, who is responsible for the ESO program dedicated to the training of non-commissioned officers.
Internal sources indicate that the academy system graduates approximately 1,200 officers annually, making it one of the most significant components of the group’s military structure. The loss of such a facility is therefore viewed as a major operational setback.
Security observers note that the capture of military training centers often has consequences beyond immediate battlefield losses. Such facilities play a critical role in leadership development, recruitment, and long-term force generation, making them highly valuable strategic targets.
The incident comes amid continued instability across eastern Congo, where armed groups remain active in several territories of North and South Kivu. AFC/M23 has continued to expand its military presence in a number of areas, contributing to shifting dynamics on the ground.
At the time of publication, AFC/M23 had not issued an official response to the allegations made by FDLR. Meanwhile, residents of Masisi remain concerned about the humanitarian and security consequences of renewed fighting in their communities.
