Intense fighting is currently unfolding across the high and mid-plateaus of Fizi territory, located in the Sud-Kivu province of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. These clashes pit the rebel coalition AFC/M23-Twirwaneho, which Kinshasa alleges receives backing from the Rwandan army, against the FARDC-Wazalendo coalition, reportedly supported by the Burundian army.

While both sides assert significant military advances, residents express profound apprehension over the escalating militarization of Baraka and Fizi-Centre. These two strategically vital locations are experiencing increasing daily disruptions and heightened insecurity.

A pivotal region at the core of the conflict

On the ground, rebel forces claim to have pushed forward from Mulima village to the “Point Zéro” sector, moving towards Mukera. This account is vehemently denied by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), which instead maintains that its troops have successfully retaken several areas and pushed the combatants further south.

Beyond these contrasting reports, the stakes are undeniably strategic. Baraka, situated along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, serves as Fizi territory’s primary administrative hub. The town is a crucial link, connecting the Uvira territory to its north with Tanganyika province to its south.

Following the AFC/M23 rebel attack on Uvira and their subsequent retreat northward, Baraka has emerged as a critical nexus for both civilian and military supply lines. Its airfield and ports facilitate the movement of reinforcements across Lake Tanganyika. Concurrently, Fizi-Centre acts as a vital access point to the Minembwe High Plateaus, as well as to the provinces of Maniema and Tanganyika.

Residents gripped by fear

In this government-controlled area, inhabitants now endure a daily reality punctuated by gunfire and explosions. The almost nightly sound of shots has triggered widespread panic. Consequently, businesses now operate on a reduced schedule, typically opening around 9 AM and closing by 5 PM.

“The military presence in the town is substantial; they have descended from the mountains. Every evening, activities abruptly cease. Bullets fly in every direction… Recently, a bomb dropped by a drone injured several people. We live in a state of insecurity, and this worries us deeply, but we hold onto the belief that our government will find a resolution,” recounted Justin, a resident of Fizi.

Army pledges to restore control

In response to the deteriorating security landscape, the FARDC has confirmed launching an offensive aimed at reclaiming villages that fell under rebel control in the high plateaus of Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga. This particular region presents significant operational challenges due to its difficult terrain and extremely limited telecommunications networks.

“To the populations of Fizi, Mwenga, Uvira, and all of Sud-Kivu, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo extend a message of confidence and reassurance. We guarantee that all necessary operational measures are in place to ensure your protection, continue the reconquest, and progressively restore state authority across every part of the national territory,” affirmed Lieutenant Reagan Mbuyi Kalonji, spokesperson for Operation Sukola 2 South-Sud-Kivu.

Human rights defenders under intense pressure

Civil society organizations, however, are raising alarms about a growing climate of intimidation. According to numerous human rights defenders, activists are increasingly subjected to arbitrary arrests, detentions, and kidnappings.

One such defender, speaking anonymously, stated: “Human rights defenders face death threats, arbitrary arrests, and various forms of intimidation. They are frequently misidentified as allies of the AFC/M23 rebel movement. We implore the Congolese authorities to guarantee our safety and cease all forms of intimidation against us, as we are not participants in the armed conflict.”

On the ground, the intense fighting persists, with neither side managing to secure a decisive advantage. The AFC/M23-Twirwaneho and the FARDC, supported by the Wazalendo, continue to accuse each other of using drones to bomb densely populated villages within the Minembwe region.

As these prolonged clashes continue, the residents of Fizi and Baraka live in constant apprehension of further security deterioration, issuing urgent appeals for a lasting return to peace.