AFC/M23) have taken control of Gatoyi following several days of intense fighting with local militias, according to witnesses and local sources.
Residents said the clashes, which involved M23 fighters and the pro-government Wazalendo militias, lasted for approximately four days before the rebels secured the area on Sunday, March 2.
The capture of Gatoyi comes as M23 continues to expand its presence in Masisi Territory, where the group is reported to have taken control of six locations during the past week.
Security analysts say the seizure of Gatoyi could strengthen security around the nearby mining area of Rubaya, which is considered strategically important due to its mineral resources.
FDLR officer killed
In a separate development, sources in Rutshuru Territory reported that Col. Uwamungu Anselme, also known as Gazali, a senior figure in the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, was killed during an attack on an FDLR base.
According to local sources cited by Rwandatribune, the attack occurred in the early hours of February 27 at Kirama, an area described as an economic center for the FDLR where the group carries out agricultural activities.
Witnesses said the attack was carried out by AFC/M23 fighters. Some accounts claim the colonel was executed by three soldiers who had been assigned to guard him, although these details have not been independently verified.
Kirama reportedly hosts what the FDLR refers to as its “presidency” offices.
Death confirmed by FDLR
The death of Col. Gazali was confirmed by FDLR spokesperson Curee Ngoma in an interview with the newspaper Rutshuru Actualité. Ngoma rejected earlier reports suggesting that the person killed was Lt. Col. Ukwishaka Nouvelle, who is responsible for the political branch of the FDLR’s armed wing, FOCA (Forces Combattantes Abacunguzi).
Eyewitnesses said that a photograph circulating on social media showing the victim is that of Uwamungu Anselme, not Lt. Col. Ukwishaka.
Background
According to sources familiar with his background, Col. Gazali—whose real name was Uwimana Anselme—was born in 1975 in the former Huye Commune in southern Rwanda.
He attended secondary school at the Petit Séminaire Vilgo Fidelis /Karubanda before joining the armed group ALIR in 1998 in the former Nyamutera Commune in Ruhengeri Prefecture.
Gazali later completed military training in 2000 at the FDLR’s ESM academy in Gikoma, located in Masisi Territory.
He served as the FOCA military spokesperson for about one year, replacing Lt. Col. Sacramento, who had reportedly been removed from the role.
Attempts to reach the M23 spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, for comment were unsuccessful.
