Security Mission Visits Kisengo After FARDC-Wazalendo Clashes

Nyunzu, Tanganyika, August 14, 2026 - A security mission led by Colonel Alex Munyalizi Bamaraki of the Usalama forces, alongside Yoane Sululu and Colonel Luntu Kasongo of the Requin battalion, visited the village of Kisengo on August 14 following violent clashes that occurred on August 12. The visit aimed to assess the situation after reports indicated that Wazalendo militia members had opened fire on four soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) during a patrol near Kyoko. The incident resulted in the deaths of two Wazalendo fighters, while earlier confrontations had claimed the lives of four Wazalendo and one civilian.

Chief Joseph Lokombe of Kisengo expressed concerns over the ongoing harassment by Wazalendo forces, highlighting the community's distress over the lack of control and security in the area. He commended the efforts of the Requin battalion in maintaining order and providing support to the local population. The security mission's visit underscores the ongoing challenges faced by FARDC in stabilizing the region amid persistent militia activities, as local leaders call for increased military presence and support to ensure the safety of civilians.