FARDC Post Set on Fire by Wazalendo Militiamen

Misevere, Lubero January 20, 2026 - A post belonging to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) was set on fire overnight from Monday to Tuesday in Misevere, a village near Musienene, close to the Musienene primary school, in the Baswagha chiefdom of Lubero territory, North Kivu. The fire is attributed to Wazalendo militiamen. The incident reportedly occurred while the FARDC soldiers who normally occupy the post were absent, having reportedly left on a mission to Beni territory, leaving the position undefended. A local civil society leader described the act as a serious offense. The military administrator of Lubero territory confirmed the incident but did not provide details on the circumstances or measures taken. This attack comes just days after a similar incident in the same region. On January 8, 2026, an abandoned FARDC position was set on fire in Vusigha, in the Musienene-Katholo area, Ngulo group, also within the Baswagha chiefdom. The soldiers had left the site on January 6, 2026, to return to Beni, after which all barracks built by loyalist forces were burned to the ground by unidentified individuals.