Explosive Devices Found in Residents’ Fields in Ruwenzori

Ruwenzori Beni February 14, 2026 - Two explosive devices were discovered in Manzembe and Mwenda, areas within the Beni territory of North Kivu, reportedly left behind by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels during their retreat, according to Kalungo Mambo of the Civil Protection service in the Ruwenzori sector. Experts from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) intervened in Manzembe to defuse a bomb discovered by residents last Saturday. Civil Protection authorities urged locals to exercise caution in areas near former ADF strongholds, highlighting the risks posed by abandoned explosive devices. “The bomb discovered in Manzembe posed a danger near a busy road leading to the population's fields. We urge everyone to be careful when working in the fields, because after the attackers passed through, several explosive devices were left behind,” Mambo said. In Mwenda, another device was located by FARDC forces, buried in the sand and awaiting demining to allow safe access for residents. The discovery of such explosive hazards has become increasingly frequent following the recapture of several ADF strongholds by the Congolese army in the Ruwenzori sector. Authorities continue to call for heightened vigilance among civilians in these high-risk areas.