The town, located in the Waloa Yungu group (Walikale Territory) in North Kivu Province, was captured by M23 over the past week.

As this report was being written, the sound of heavy and light weapons was still being heard in Buhimba, where government forces supported by Wazalendo fighters and other allied groups including the FDLR launched an offensive aimed at driving M23 rebels out of the town.

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Sources on the battlefield confirm that the situation remains critical in the area.

Meanwhile, the M23 continues to advance. On Sunday night, reports confirmed that the rebels seized Kilungutwe in Mwenga Territory, South Kivu Province.

This came during clashes in which the AFC/M23 captured a large quantity of weapons. In addition to Kilungutwe, the AFC/M23 also took control of Kimbili in Shabunda Territory, where Kinshasa’s troops had been retreating for a week.

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The fall of Buhimba opens the way for the AFC/M23 to advance toward Kimua and Ntoto two key towns in the region still held by government forces and Wazalendo.

The Kimua Ntoto road connects to the Walikale Goma road through Ngora, 12 kilometers from central Walikale, and also passes through Karete and Musenge on the RN3 route from Mera near Ntoto via Malembe.

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Civil society organizations in Walikale are urging security agencies to strengthen protection along routes the rebels are using to encircle the town of Walikale.

Should Walikale fall to M23, the rebels would gain a corridor leading toward Kisangani through Lubutu in Maniema Province. Residents are calling on the national army to intensify operations to prevent the rebels from capturing vast areas of the country.