The announcement was made by M23’s military spokesperson, Lt Col Willy Ngoma, on the night of January 3, 2024, via his X account.

"Katale in Masisi breathes the air of liberation. The enemy has suffered great losses, with many weapons and ammunition seized by the Lions of Sarambwe [M23],” he stated.

Manzi Ngarambe Willy, M23’s coordinator for the diaspora, also confirmed the capture, emphasizing that FDLR forces had been driven out.

The town was taken in the afternoon of January 3 following intense clashes between M23 fighters and a coalition of the Congolese army (FARDC) and FDLR terrorists, which had been ongoing since the morning hours.

Juvénal Munubo, the Member of Parliament for Masisi in the DRC’s National Assembly, voiced concern over the capture, fearing it could lead to the fall of the larger Masisi trading center. He called on the Congolese armed forces to act swiftly to reclaim the area.

"Katale is only 12 kilometers from the Masisi trading center, and its fall increases the enemy’s chances of capturing the Masisi capital of the territory, which is close to Walikale.

"It is urgent for FARDC and other forces defending the country to intensify their efforts to push them back and restore security in the east," Munubo urged.

M23 fighters seized control of Katale after successfully repelling an attack on their positions, including those in Kahira and Buhimba in the Bashali-Mukoto area of Masisi.

M23 fighters seized control of Katale after successfully repelling an attack on their positions.