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Masisi, located about 80km (50 miles) from the provincial capital Goma, is a rich, mountainous area with agricultural, livestock, and mineral resources.
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Goma - M23 rebel fighters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have captured the key town of Masisi, a strategic location in the east of the country, according to local politicians. The seizure marks a significant gain for the armed group, which has been advancing in the region.
Masisi, located about 80km (50 miles) from the provincial capital Goma, is a rich, mountainous area with agricultural, livestock, and mineral resources. Its capture on Saturday was confirmed by provincial parliament member Alexis Bahunga, who pledged that the government would take measures to restore control over the territory.
Jean-Pierre Ayobangira Safari, another parliamentary deputy, stated that Masisi was under M23 control “for now.” Corneille Nangaa, leader of the antigovernment Congo River Alliance (AFC), which includes M23, reported that rebel forces reached the town's center by mid-afternoon on Saturday.
Humanitarian crisis deepens
The capture of Masisi has triggered a wave of displacement, with thousands fleeing to neighboring areas, including Goma, which already hosts four million displaced people. Al Jazeera’s Alain Uaykani reported that the situation remains tense in Masisi, describing it as the second-largest territory recently captured from government forces. The United Nations estimates that nearly a million people were displaced in 2024 due to ongoing conflict in the region.
Government stance and regional implications
President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC has reiterated his refusal to engage in direct dialogue with M23, maintaining a hardline stance against the group. The DRC accuses neighboring Rwanda of backing the rebels, a claim Rwanda denies. Mediation efforts led by Angola collapsed in December due to disagreements over a proposed peace deal.
M23, primarily based in North Kivu province, has waged deadly attacks for over a decade. Its leadership, drawn largely from the Tutsi ethnic group, claims to defend against Hutu-led forces who fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide.
Strategic significance of Masisi
Masisi’s capture represents a substantial victory for M23, as the town serves as an administrative capital and gateway to Goma, a major political and commercial hub. With an estimated population of 40,000, Masisi’s fall raises government concerns over the group’s potential to advance toward other critical areas, including Bukavu.
The DRC government faces mounting pressure to counter M23’s territorial gains and address the deepening humanitarian crisis in the region.
Source: Aljazeera
