South Kivu: DRC Forces Clash with Wazalendo Amid AFC/M23 Advance

Kigali, December 12, 2025 - DRC - Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) forces taking refuge in Baraka, Fizi territory, clashed with Wazalendo armed groups on the morning of December 12, 2025. The Wazalendo attempted to disarm DRC forces after they fled Uvira, now controlled by the AFC/M23 coalition.

A local resident in the Mongemonge area described the chaos: “The bullets were above us. It was the Wazalendo who wanted to disarm the FARDC, but they failed.”

The fighting lasted about an hour, prompting authorities to suspend business and educational activities in Baraka while awaiting calm.

The DRC and Wazalendo forces had left Uvira on December 9, prior to the AFC/M23 entry. The DRC forces reached Baraka the following day, while others fled to Burundi. Sources confirm that DRC forces, previously in disarray, are still arriving in Baraka, joined by some Burundian troops who also fled.

Earlier, on December 7, AFC/M23 fighters attacked Sange, near Uvira, where Wazalendo clashed with DRC forces, leaving 36 dead, including civilians. Wazalendo reportedly attempted to recruit fleeing DRC forces to counter the AFC/M23 advance, but the DRC troops refused.