Timeline of the M23 campaign (2026)

== April 2026 ==

== April 2026 ==

=== 1 April ===

=== 1–12 April ===

On 1 April, Wazalendo forces repelled M23 attacks in several villages west of Uvira, including Mitamba, about 15 miles away. In Masisi Territory, clashes also appeared in Kashovu village, approximately 26 miles southwest of Rubaya.{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Yale |date=1 April 2026 |title=An in-depth review of activity related to the war in the eastern DRC between M23 and its Rwandan backers and pro-Congolese government forces |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/congo-war-security-review/april-1-2026 |access-date=3 April 2026 |website=Critical Threats}} On 3 April, FARDC-Wazalendo forces assumed joint control of villages such as Ndumbi, Buma, Iteya, Buhaya, Mpeti, and Minjenje in Walikale Territory, after M23 fighters vacated the area without any fighting. The M23 front line was later reported to have repositioned in Malemo near Kalembe in Masisi Territory.{{Cite web |date=3 April 2026 |title=Walikale: plusieurs villages du groupement Kisimba passent sous contrôle des FARDC et wazalendo après le retrait sans combat des rebelles de l'AFC/M23 |trans-title=Walikale: Several villages in the Kisimba group have fallen under the control of the FARDC and Wazalendo after the AFC/M23 rebels withdrew without a fight |url=https://actualite.cd/2026/04/03/walikale-plusieurs-villages-du-groupement-kisimba-passent-sous-controle-des-fardc-et |access-date=21 April 2026 |website=[[Actualite.cd]] |language=fr}} Between 6–8 April, M23 launched attacks in Kalehe Territory and seized Tushunguti, Kaziba, Katale, Kafufula, Katanga, Mpanama, Braza, Bushege, and Lulamba after clashes with FARDC forces in the Ziralo ''groupement'' and with local armed groups such as COPACO led by Kirikicho Mirimba Mwanamayi, MCDPIN under Grevisse Nsimparingira, and forces linked to Haguma Kanyengwenye.{{Cite web |date=7 April 2026 |title=Kalehe: plusieurs localités passent sous contrôle de l’AFC/M23 après de violents combats lundi, des milliers de civils en déplacement |trans-title=Kalehe: Several localities fall under the control of the AFC/M23 after fierce fighting on Monday, thousands of civilians displaced |url=https://actualite.cd/2026/04/07/kalehe-plusieurs-localites-passent-sous-controle-de-lafcm23-apres-de-violents-combats |access-date=21 April 2026 |website=[[Actualite.cd]] |language=fr}}{{Cite web |last=Schreder |first=Claire |last2=Ford |first2=Yale |date=10 April 2026 |title=Congo War Security Review: An in-depth review of activity related to the war in the eastern DRC between M23 and its Rwandan backers and pro-Congolese government forces |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/congo-war-security-review/april-10-2026 |access-date=21 April 2026 |website=Critical Threats}} Tushunguti lies roughly 18 miles west of Numbi, which is a mineral trading hub near the RN2. Between 9–10 April, FARDC forces counterattacked and retook several villages, including Tushunguti,{{Cite web |date=8 April 2026 |title=Kalehe: la cité de Tushunguti conquise par l'AFC/M23, Biriko dans le Walikale sous menace |trans-title=Kalehe: the city of Tushunguti conquered by the AFC/M23, Biriko in Walikale under threat |url=https://actualite.cd/2026/04/08/kalehe-la-cite-de-tushunguti-conquise-par-lafcm23-biriko-dans-le-walikale-sous-menace |access-date=21 April 2026 |website=[[Actualite.cd]] |language=fr}} while Wazalendo also engaged M23 in a nearby village bordering Ziralo in the Ufamandu ''groupement'', Bahunde Chiefdom, Masisi Territory, on 9 April. On 11 April, Twirwaneho fighters killed a senior FARDC colonel and five soldiers during fighting near Muranvya in the Bijombo ''groupement'', Uvira Territory, despite Wazalendo having recaptured Muranvya and other villages earlier that month.{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Yale |last2=Schreder |first2=Claire |date=13 April 2026 |title=Congo War Security Review: An in-depth review of activity related to the war in the eastern DRC between M23 and its Rwandan backers and pro-Congolese government forces |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/congo-war-security-review/april-13-2026 |access-date=21 April 2026 |website=Critical Threats}} On 12 April, ''Tazama RDC'' reported that Rwanda carried out drone-based airstrikes on Muranvya using a Turkish-made drone, a claim the outlet had first reported earlier in April.

On 1 April, Wazalendo forces repelled M23 attacks in several villages west of Uvira, including Mitamba, about 15 miles away. In Masisi Territory, clashes also appeared in Kashovu village, approximately 26 miles southwest of Rubaya.{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Yale |date=1 April 2026 |title=An in-depth review of activity related to the war in the eastern DRC between M23 and its Rwandan backers and pro-Congolese government forces |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/congo-war-security-review/april-1-2026 |access-date=3 April 2026 |website=Critical Threats}}

=== 13–17 April ===

On 13 April, talks between the Congolese government and M23 were held near [[Montreux]], Switzerland under the Doha peace process, with the U.S. represented by [[Massad Boulos]], who also met with senior officials from Switzerland and the UN to coordinate peace initiatives. Qatar participated in person at the negotiations, contrary to earlier claims that its involvement would be virtual. The two sides signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] concerning the transfer of 2,000–3,000 FARDC soldiers to government control, as well as a second agreement expanding the [[Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification Mechanism|Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism]] (EJVM) to include representatives from M23. Discussions subsequently shifted toward humanitarian matters, with the talks concluding around 16–17 April.{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Yale |last2=Schreder |first2=Claire |date=15 April 2026 |title=Congo War Security Review: An in-depth review of activity related to the war in the eastern DRC between M23 and its Rwandan backers and pro-Congolese government forces |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/congo-war-security-review/april-15-2026 |access-date=21 April 2026 |website=Critical Threats}} At the same time, between 11–13 April, Wazalendo forces clashed with M23 and regained control of several villages in the Mubuku ''groupement'', including two in Murangu locality in central Kalehe Territory. On 14 April, ''SOS Médias Burundi'' reported that the [[Burundi National Defence Force|FDNB]] had deployed additional troops to Baraka via [[Rumonge]] port on Lake Tanganyika, with movements reportedly directed toward the Fizi Territory and Mwenga Territory highlands. [[Human Rights Watch]] cited that around 4,000 FDNB troops were operating in those territories.

== References ==

== References ==