FARDC announce surrender of more than 6,600 M23 fighters in North Kivu
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Beto
The Congolese army says more than 6,600 M23/AFC fighters have laid down their arms in North Kivu, with a first group of 21 people, including four civilians, presented to military governor Évariste Somo Kakule on 10 November. The FARDC also say they have freed 25 ADF hostages in Cantine, Beni territory, during joint operations with the Ugandan army, according to their spokespeople.
The FARDC, the Congolese army, have announced the surrender of more than 6,600 M23 fighters in North Kivu. The announcement came during the presentation of a first group of 21 people to the military governor of North Kivu, Major General Évariste Somo Kakule, on 10 November 2026, according to Beto.
The group presented comprised 17 fighters and four civilians, according to the army’s spokesperson in North Kivu, Lieutenant Marc Elongo Kyondwa. The FARDC say some fighters had laid down their arms while others had been captured, and indicate that Rwandan soldiers and former Rwandan soldiers are among those captured on the Grand Nord and Walikale-Masisi axes.
Congolese soldiers and police officers whom the FARDC say had been taken hostage in Goma were also among those presented. Joint operations by the FARDC and the UPDF, the Ugandan army, are continuing in parallel against the ADF in the Grand Nord. According to the Congolese army, these operations recently enabled 25 hostages, including a baby, abducted in Cantine, in Beni territory, to be freed.
