Nzibira-Shabunda road blocked by rebels for nearly four weeks

The Kaniola group’s civil society organization in South Kivu says AFC/M23 fighters, now known as the Front pour la refondation de la nation (FRN), have blocked the Nzibira-Shabunda road for nearly four weeks. It accuses them of demanding that ten young people from Nzibira join their ranks and says the closure is disrupting trade, travel and access to healthcare. Local notables report that goods are spoiling, while banks and microfinance institutions are also closed amid persistent insecurity. Civil society is demanding the road’s immediate reopening and urging authorities to protect residents from abductions and forced recruitment.