Minembwe, Democratic Republic of Congo—For nearly a week, violent confrontations have gripped the high plateaus of Fizi and Mwenga territories in South Kivu, pitting Twirwaneho fighters, allied with the AFC-M23 politico-military coalition, against the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), supported by the National Defense Force of Burundi (FDNB) and Kinshasa-backed Wazalendo militias.

Following the intense engagements, Twirwaneho/M23 combatants assert they have successfully pushed back the government coalition from several strategic positions surrounding Minembwe. Meanwhile, local and military sources confirm a withdrawal of the allied forces.

Reports from the ground indicate that the fighting reached peak intensity during the week, characterized by the deployment of heavy weaponry, drones, and extensive bombardments. The FARDC, FDNB, and their allies reportedly retreated towards the localities of Lwiko, Mutunda, and Miko, leaving various peripheral areas of Minembwe under the control of the Twirwaneho/M23 fighters.

Residents who sought refuge from the conflict in Kiziba described scenes of widespread panic and mass civilian displacement. Numerous accounts detail bombardments impacting inhabited zones, though an independent assessment of casualties remains unconfirmed.

While the FARDC has yet to issue a comprehensive statement, local military officials have verified a strategic repositioning following particularly fierce clashes in the Ilundu and Bidegu areas.

Unverified intelligence from the conflict zone also suggests that Burundian FDNB soldiers may have abandoned equipment during their retreat towards Kakenge (Miko). Human losses are reported among the ranks of the FARDC, FDNB, and Wazalendo, although no official figures have been released.

Claims of military success

From the perspective of the Twirwaneho/M23 combatants, the sentiment is one of decisive military victory. They claim to have driven government forces and their allies beyond multiple front lines, thereby solidifying their control around Minembwe.

Former Congolese National Deputy Moïse Nyarugabo commended what he described as a “retreat of forces engaged against Minembwe.”

“The threat to Minembwe has been averted. Despite Sukhoy bombardments, drone strikes, and heavy artillery, the engaged forces were repelled beyond the Lwiko river,” he stated. Nyarugabo further asserted that military operations launched months ago had failed to establish lasting security in the consistently volatile high plateaus. He also accused the coalition of being responsible for bombardments that resulted in civilian casualties and massive population displacements.

Controversy surrounding FDNB presence

The deployment of the National Defense Force of Burundi (FDNB) alongside the FARDC continues to fuel controversy in the region, affecting regional African politics. Some security sources allege that Kinshasa offered Gitega mining concessions in Minembwe and other areas of Fizi territory in exchange for military assistance. These claims have not been substantiated by either Congolese or Burundian authorities.

However, Presidents Évariste Ndayishimiye and Félix Tshisekedi have both confirmed a bilateral security cooperation agreement that permits Burundian forces to operate on Congolese soil. Records indicate that over 29,000 Burundian soldiers were deployed to eastern DRC between August 2022 and December 2025. This highlights a complex aspect of governance Africa.

Amid escalating security tensions, the Burundian army recently undertook new redeployments in the region. This follows the withdrawal of AFC-M23 rebels from the strategic town of Uvira, near Goma, which controls key routes connecting eastern Congo to Burundi. Uvira had been under rebel occupation for nearly a month between December 2025 and January 2026 before their retreat.

More recently, local reports also indicate that elements of the AFC-M23 have withdrawn from certain positions in the Rusizi plain, reportedly due to international pressure, particularly from the United States and other partners involved in regional de-escalation efforts.

AFC-M23 and Twirwaneho at the heart of the conflict

The March 23 Movement (M23) stands as a primary component of the Alliance Fleuve Congo–M23 (AFC-M23) politico-military coalition, led by Corneille Nangaa, former president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the high plateaus of South Kivu, this coalition significantly relies on the Twirwaneho armed movement, predominantly composed of young individuals from the Banyamulenge community.

Congolese authorities consistently accuse Rwanda of providing support to the AFC-M23 and its allies, allegations consistently rejected by Kigali. Conversely, Rwanda accuses Kinshasa of collaborating with the FDLR, an armed group comprising former Hutu officials implicated in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis.

Burundi, in turn, accuses Rwanda of backing armed groups operating against its territory and harboring ambitions for influence in eastern DRC. Kigali refutes these claims, while simultaneously reproaching Gitega for alleged collaboration with the FDLR and other armed groups active in the region. This intricate web of accusations highlights the complex dynamics of African politics and regional security.

Amidst these persistent tensions, the M23/AFC, a predominantly Tutsi movement that resumed hostilities in late 2021 after accusing Kinshasa of failing to honor reintegration commitments, now controls or significantly influences several strategic areas in North and South Kivu, including key economic routes and vital localities.

A region perpetually unstable

Despite numerous regional agreements and diplomatic initiatives aimed at de-escalating the crisis in eastern DRC, clashes persist on the ground, with no immediate prospect of lasting peace. The high plateaus of Fizi thus remain one of the most volatile flashpoints in the Great Lakes region, where local rivalries are intricately intertwined with broader tensions between Kigali, Kinshasa, and Gitega, profoundly impacting society Africa.

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Photo d’archives : Local militias attacking M23 at Bashali, while various armed groups clash in Minembwe, amidst high tensions in eastern DRC.