Sud-Kivu: Twirwaneho and M23/AFC-M23 seize Point Zéro, a key FARDC and FDNB stronghold

Minembwe, July 6, 2026 — The armed group Twirwaneho, alongside the M23/AFC-M23 faction of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC-M23), has declared control over Point Zéro, a critical military position in the Itombwe highlands, Mwenga territory, South Kivu. The coalition claims this base was a primary stronghold for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Armed Forces (FARDC), Burundi’s National Defence Force (FDNB), and Wazalendo militias—groups backed by Kinshasa. The region has seen persistent clashes for months, with no official response available at press time.

The announcement, made via a communiqué signed by Twirwaneho’s military spokesperson, Fidèle Rugabo, details a two-day offensive launched on July 4 against Point Zéro. The statement asserts that after intense fighting, the groups successfully overran the position, forcing FARDC, Burundian troops, and allied militias to retreat.

« Point Zéro has fallen into our hands, » the communiqué declares, adding that Kinshasa-backed forces abandoned the area without resistance.

Local sources report heavy fighting along key routes connecting Mikenge, Kalongi, and Rubemba, as residents in Minembwe cautiously observe the evolving situation. « We’ve lived through months of relentless violence, » shared one local. « If this base truly has changed hands, perhaps it will bring some relief to the area. »

Unofficial accounts suggest that FARDC and FDNB units may have withdrawn from multiple positions, including Point Zéro, Mikenge, Kalongi, Rubemba, and Kakenge, regrouping near Mutambala, Mukera, and the neighboring Fizi territory. These claims remain unverified.

Point Zéro: A strategic prize in South Kivu’s highlands

Nestled in the Itombwe massif, Point Zéro serves as a vital military hub, controlling key supply routes linking Minembwe, Mikenge, Mwenga, and Fizi. The area has long been a flashpoint for clashes between armed factions vying for territorial dominance.

Following the M23/AFC-M23’s withdrawal from Uvira in January 2026, hostilities in the highlands have intensified. The FARDC, Burundian forces, Wazalendo militias, and Twirwaneho—aligned with the AFC-M23 coalition—continue to vie for control.

Burundi’s military role under a bilateral security pact

Burundi’s military presence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo operates under a bilateral security cooperation agreement between Gitega and Kinshasa. Both governments have repeatedly confirmed this arrangement, which permits the deployment of the National Defence Force in Congolese territory.

According to a report from the DRC’s Ministry of Interior and Security, over 29,000 Burundian troops were deployed in eastern DRC between August 2022 and December 2025. Initially tasked with combating Burundian rebel groups like RED-Tabara, the FDNB now collaborates with FARDC in joint operations against multiple armed factions in the region.

Recent months have seen troop movements across Mwenga, Fizi, and Uvira territories, coinciding with a surge in clashes between government-aligned forces and armed groups.

Regional tensions fuel ongoing instability

The conflict in eastern DRC remains entangled in regional rivalries, with accusations and counter-accusations shaping the narrative. Kinshasa frequently accuses Kigali of backing the M23/AFC-M23, a claim Rwanda denies. Meanwhile, Kigali alleges that FARDC collaborates with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group composed partly of former Hutu extremists involved in the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.

Burundi has also accused Rwanda of supporting armed factions hostile to Gitega, while Kigali criticizes Bujumbura’s ties with the FDLR and other regional armed groups.

A fragile peace despite diplomatic efforts

This latest development occurs amid heightened tensions, despite recent diplomatic pushes for stability in eastern DRC. A June 27, 2026, agreement between the DRC and Rwanda—mediated by the United States—aimed to de-escalate hostilities and outline military disengagement. Yet, fighting persists on the ground, particularly in South Kivu’s highlands.

The region remains one of the most volatile in the Great Lakes area, where local rivalries, ethnic divisions, and geopolitical interests fuel a protracted and complex conflict. As of publication, no official response from FARDC, FDNB, or Burundian authorities has been issued regarding the armed groups’ claims.