Army Reports Partial Surrenders Amid Ongoing Mobondo Threat in Kwamouth

Kikwit, April 11, 2026 - The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have reported continued progress in operations against Mobondo militias, while warning that pockets of resistance remain active in Kwamouth territory, considered the epicenter of the insurgency in Maï-Ndombe province. During a briefing on April 9 in Kikwit, the spokesperson for the 11th Military Region indicated that ongoing operations have shifted focus from direct combat to awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging militia members to surrender. According to the army, several hundred combatants have already laid down their arms in recent weeks. Many of them are currently in military facilities, while others have been redirected toward civic and vocational reintegration programs under state supervision. Authorities also confirmed the recovery of a significant number of surrendered weapons. Despite these developments, military officials stressed that the situation remains fragile. They noted that an armed movement active for more than three years cannot be dismantled quickly and that efforts to secure additional surrenders are ongoing. The army reported that most of the individuals who have surrendered originate from Kwango province, while fewer have come from Kwamouth itself, raising concerns about continued resistance in the movement’s main stronghold. Some militia leaders, according to military sources, continue to reject calls to demobilize. Authorities also indicated that certain fighters willing to surrender have expressed readiness to do so through government channels, including the Ministry Delegate for Veterans Affairs. During recent pacification efforts, more than 600 Mobondo militiamen reportedly surrendered across several operations, including in Kwango and parts of the Maluku commune. Some were transferred to national service centers, including Kaniama Kasese, for vocational training and reintegration. While officials estimate that the majority of fighters have laid down their arms, they acknowledge that an estimated residual threat remains in Kwamouth, where localized insecurity continues to pose a challenge for stabilization efforts.