Revolutionary forces from the AFC/M23 coalition have captured the strategic towns of Kaniola, Mulamba, and Nzibira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, marking a dramatic shift in the region’s military balance and exposing the fragility of Kinshasa’s security apparatus.
The fall of Nzibira—home to a vital airstrip supplying Congolese forces (FARDC), Wazalendo militias, and allied troops—occurred in the early hours of August 9, around 2:23 a.m., following the collapse of government defenses in Kaniola and Mulamba the previous day. The rapid advance has forced coalition forces loyal to Kinshasa into a strategic retreat westward toward Shabunda and southward toward Uvira.
Local sources report that the AFC/M23 now controls a swath of territory in Walungu, South Kivu, following fierce clashes with FARDC and Wazalendo fighters. Civilian casualties have been confirmed, and mass displacement is underway as residents flee the advancing rebel forces.
Symbolic and Strategic Losses
The capture of Nzibira is particularly significant. Its airstrip had served as a logistical lifeline for government forces in the region. With its loss, supply chains are severed, and the state’s ability to project power in South Kivu is severely compromised.
“These aren’t just dots on a map,” said a civil society leader in Bukavu. “Kaniola, Mulamba, and Nzibira represent the collapse of a government that can no longer protect, negotiate, or plan.”
Security analysts say the fall of these towns underscores the failure of Kinshasa’s promised security reforms and the weakening of its military presence in the east. The AFC/M23’s coordinated offensive suggests not only battlefield superiority but also intelligence capabilities that may have outmaneuvered government defenses.
Political Fallout and Regional Implications
The Kinshasa regime, led by President Félix Tshisekedi, has intensified its rhetoric but remains on the defensive. The loss of key towns has sparked renewed criticism of the government’s reliance on poorly coordinated militia coalitions and foreign troops, including Burundian forces recently redeployed to the region.
Meanwhile, the AFC/M23 has denied recent UN accusations of civilian massacres in Rutshuru, calling them politically motivated and demanding an independent investigation.
As the conflict escalates, humanitarian agencies warn of worsening conditions. Over six million people have already been displaced in eastern DRC, and the latest rebel gains threaten to deepen the crisis.
What’s Next?
With Kamituga and other towns in South Kivu now in the rebels’ sights, observers fear a broader collapse of government control. The AFC/M23 has signaled its intent to consolidate gains and resist any counteroffensive.
For the people of eastern Congo, the question is no longer whether the state can hold—it’s whether it can survive.
