Those familiar with the region describe it as an area very close to Mwenga Centre, making it easy to reach that town or the smaller towns of Kamituga and Fizi.

At this point, AFC/M23 could enter Mwenga by simply crossing the Gashaka River, an area known as a junction leading to multiple directions, including a livestock route heading to Kitutu and another that leads to Kamituga.

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In short, the area captured by AFC/M23 is strategically important, as it includes a hill called Kigogo, from which fighters positioned at the top could fire into the town of Mwenga using long-range weapons.

Besides the M23 forces controlling the Kashaka area, other reports indicate that another segment of the group has already reached Karambi Centre, located about five kilometers north of Mwenga.

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Having AFC/M23 rebels in that area also gives them the ability to enter the zones of Kamituga, Kakorokero, Fizi, Kilembwe, Lulimbi, Byongo, and Kitutu without resistance.

All this is unfolding as preparations are underway for the signing of agreements between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo aimed at bringing peace to eastern Congo and the wider Great Lakes region.