Late Burial of Civilian Victims Following AFC/M23 Clashes in Walungu

Walungu, South Kivu, January 7, 2026 - The bodies of civilians killed during clashes between the AFC-M23 rebels and the Wazalendo militia in the Ikoma region of Walungu territory last Sunday were finally buried two days later. The delay came as residents of Bumbalali fled the violence, leaving behind the bodies of their neighbors who had been killed by bombs. Upon returning on Tuesday, villagers discovered the corpses still lying on the ground. In total, four civilians lost their lives: three in Bumbalali and one in Mwendo. Residents reported that the bodies were already decomposing. “Calm had returned on Tuesday, when the M23 left the area. Around 10 a.m., we were forced to go to the site of the massacre. The slain compatriots were buried on Tuesday, the last one after 6 p.m.,” said a resident who requested anonymity. On Monday, the victims’ bodies remained at the site because the Walungu administrator, under the orders of the AFC-M23, instructed villagers not to bury them before the arrival of Red Cross rescue teams. However, the rescue workers were forced to turn back after hearing gunfire, and the Wazalendo militia later visited the area to assess the situation, firing a few shots before withdrawing. Large-scale population returns began on Wednesday, though gunfire near the Mugogo market again caused panic, forcing residents to scatter and resulting in the loss of several valuable items. The incident underscores the ongoing insecurity in Walungu, which continues to disrupt civilian life and local markets.