M23 Rebels Capture Masisi in DRC

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized control of Masisi, a key town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), plunging the area into a severe humanitarian crisis. Alexis Bahunga, an MP from North Kivu, expressed dismay over the capture and urged the government to enhance military capabilities to restore order. Masisi, with a population of around 40,000, is strategically located about 80 kilometers north of Goma and has been a focal point of conflict since the M23's resurgence in 2021. Reports indicate that civilians have fled to hospitals amid gunfire, although no deaths have been confirmed so far. The situation follows the cancellation of peace talks between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, which had aimed to address the ongoing conflict. This escalation is part of a broader pattern of M23's territorial advances in the region, exacerbating fears of further destabilization.