M23 rebels recaptured the town of Shoa in Masisi territory, North Kivu province, on Sunday, September 7, following fierce clashes with pro-government forces, according to local residents. The town had briefly been taken by the Congolese army and allied Wazalendo militia on Saturday before the rebels launched a counteroffensive that forced their rivals out. Residents reported that calm returned on Sunday after a day of heavy exchanges of fire.
The renewed fighting underscores the volatility of Masisi, a mineral-rich region that has been at the centre of intense battles for more than three months. With vast deposits of gold, cobalt, and tantalum, the territory remains strategically significant, fuelling the struggle between M23 and pro-government forces. The latest shift in control highlights the fragile security situation as communities continue to endure cycles of violence and displacement.