Twirwaneho and m23 take control of Point Zero in South Kivu highlands

Minembwe, July 6, 2026 — The armed group Twirwaneho, alongside the M23/AFC-M23 faction of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC-M23), has claimed control of the strategic Point Zéro position in the Itombwe sector, Mwenga territory, South Kivu. According to their statement, this base served as a major stronghold for the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), the Burundian National Defense Force (FDNB), and the Wazalendo militias—backed by Kinshasa—across the embattled highlands, where clashes have escalated over recent months. At the time of reporting, no official response had been issued.

Military offensive leads to capture

In a statement attributed to Twirwaneho’s military spokesperson, Fidèle Rugabo, the group detailed a coordinated assault launched on Saturday, July 4, against Point Zéro. After hours of intense fighting, they declared victory, stating that FARDC, Burundian troops from the FDNB, and Wazalendo militiamen had withdrawn from their positions.

« Point Zéro is now under our control, » the communiqué read, adding that the retreat of government-aligned forces signaled a potential shift in the balance of power across the region.

Local sources monitoring the situation reported heavy fighting in surrounding areas, particularly along routes connecting Mikenge, Kalongi, and Rubemba.

Residents in Minembwe described the atmosphere as tense, expressing cautious optimism that the fall of Point Zéro might ease the relentless violence that has gripped the region for months.

« For the past six months, life here has been defined by gunfire and uncertainty. If this position has indeed fallen, perhaps it will bring some relief, » shared a local resident.

Retreat and repositioning of government forces

Multiple credible sources indicated that FARDC and FDNB units had abandoned several strategic locations—including Point Zéro, Mikenge, Kalongi, Rubemba, and Kakenge—retreating toward Mutambala, Mukera, and the neighboring Fizi territory. These reports remain unverified at this time.

Point Zéro: a critical crossroads in South Kivu

The Point Zéro base, situated within the Itombwe massif, occupies a pivotal role in the highlands of South Kivu. It dominates key transit corridors linking Minembwe, Mikenge, Mwenga, and Fizi—a region long contested by armed factions vying for territorial dominance.

Since the M23/AFC-M23 withdrew from Uvira earlier this year, the highlands have become a flashpoint for renewed clashes involving FARDC, Burundian forces, Wazalendo militias, and the Twirwaneho group, which is aligned with the AFC-M23 coalition.

Burundian military presence under bilateral agreement

The deployment of Burundian troops in eastern DRC operates under a bilateral security cooperation agreement between Gitega and Kinshasa. Both governments have publicly acknowledged the pact, which permits the FDNB to operate on Congolese soil.

According to internal data from the Congolese Ministry of Interior and Security, over 29,000 Burundian soldiers were deployed across eastern DRC between August 2022 and December 2025—initially to combat Burundian armed groups like RED-Tabara, but increasingly in joint operations with FARDC against various militant factions.

Recent months have seen troop movements across Mwenga, Fizi, and Uvira territories, coinciding with a surge in hostilities between government-backed coalitions and rebel groups.

Regional tensions and historical rivalries

The conflict in eastern DRC remains deeply entangled in regional rivalries. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Kigali of backing the M23/AFC-M23, a claim denied by Rwanda. Kigali, in turn, accuses FARDC of collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)—a militia composed largely of former Hutu extremists linked to the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.

Burundi has also accused Rwanda of supporting hostile armed groups operating in eastern DRC, while Kigali has criticized Gitega’s partnership with the FDLR and other militant organizations active in the region.

Diplomatic efforts fail to curb ongoing violence

This latest development unfolds amid a backdrop of heightened diplomatic activity meant to stabilize eastern DRC. On June 27, 2026, a U.S.-brokered agreement was signed between Kinshasa and Kigali to reduce hostilities and outline a framework for military disengagement. Yet, combat operations persist, particularly in South Kivu’s highlands.

The region remains one of the most volatile in the Great Lakes area, where local rivalries, intercommunal tensions, and geopolitical interests continue to fuel a protracted and complex conflict. As of this report, no official response has been received from FARDC, the FDNB, or Burundian authorities regarding the claims made by the two armed groups.