Heavy fighting that has lasted for about a week in the highlands of Minembwe, Fizi Territory, South Kivu Province, has intensified between the MRDP-Twirwaneho armed group—allied with the AFC/M23 coalition—and a military alliance comprising the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), Wazalendo militias, and the National Defence Force of Burundi (FDNB).
In an official statement released by MRDP-Twirwaneho, the group claimed to have seized control of various areas following days of clashes, forcing the opposing coalition to retreat.
The group further stated that the battles involved heavy weaponry, drones, and other sophisticated military equipment. It also accused the FARDC, Wazalendo, and FDNB alliance of launching offensives that directly impacted the civilian population.
However, these claims originate solely from the MRDP-Twirwaneho faction and have not been verified by the opposing side or independent sources.
Local residents in Minembwe report that the clashes have forced many to flee their homes to seek safety in calmer areas, while farming, business, and transport activities have ground to a halt across multiple sectors.
The DRC government has not yet issued any detailed statement regarding the claims made by MRDP-Twirwaneho.
Rwanda Tribune sought a response from the Congolese authorities, attempting to contact the military spokesperson for operations in South Kivu, Lieutenant Reagan Mbuyi Kalonji, to comment on the MRDP-Twirwaneho declaration. However, by the time of publication, he could not be reached for comment.
Currently, it remains difficult to independently verify the claims made by both sides—including captured territories, casualty figures, and the exact impact on civilians—due to the ongoing insecurity in the region.
The continuous fighting in Minembwe unfolds amidst a broader, deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, where various armed factions persist in battling for territorial control.
By Mwizerwa Ally
Rwandatribune.rw
