Community radio director arrested by AFC/M23 in Minova amid tensions in South Kivu

Minova March 29, 2026 - The director of community radio station Top Buzi FM, Espoir Mbata, was arrested on Sunday in Minova, located in Kalehe territory in South Kivu province, according to local sources and station staff. He was reportedly apprehended by members of the AFC/M23 movement. The arrest is believed to be linked to an on-air comment concerning a possible withdrawal of AFC/M23 forces from Minova, a subject considered sensitive in the current security context. In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, areas under the control of the AFC/M23 continue to experience growing pressure on media professionals, with journalists reporting increased restrictions, intimidation, and security risks. The incident has heightened concern among local journalists, several of whom reportedly left Minova shortly after the arrest, fearing further detentions. Top Buzi FM, a community broadcaster operating in the region, has not yet issued an official statement on the arrest. The station’s staff describe an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty following the incident. The arrest comes amid ongoing uncertainty over reported internal movements and possible redeployments within AFC/M23-held areas, which have fueled tension and speculation among local populations. Press freedom organizations and local media workers warn that journalists in conflict-affected zones are increasingly exposed to reprisals, particularly when reporting on armed group activity. The case of Espoir Mbata underscores the fragile conditions under which media operate in parts of eastern Congo, where security dynamics continue to shift and access to reliable information remains highly constrained.