Fifteen Civilians Abducted by Wazalendo Fighters in Mulema

Mulema Walikale February 12, 2026 - The security situation in northern Walikale territory, North Kivu, continues to deteriorate after fifteen civilians were abducted on Tuesday, February 10, in Muteresi, part of the Mulema area in the Kisimba groupement. Local traditional sources report that the victims, all displaced farmers from Mulema, were traveling from Rusamambu in the Ikobo group, where they had sought refuge, to their fields in Minga to collect food for their families. The civilians were reportedly ambushed by Wazalendo fighters from the CMC group of Bigabo before reaching their fields and have been held captive in Muteresi ever since. The motives for their detention remain unclear. Families of the hostages, still in Rusamambu, expressed deep concern, having received no news of their loved ones. They are urgently appealing for their release so that they can return home and provide for their dependents. Several villages in the Mulema area have remained largely deserted due to recurring clashes between AFC/M23 rebels and Wazalendo fighters. Many displaced families have sought refuge in Rusamambu, Bukumbirwa, and Buleusa, living in precarious humanitarian conditions amid ongoing insecurity.