Tensions Rise in Tushunguti, Kalehe, After Killing Attributed to Wazalendo-Affiliated

Kinshasa, January 11, 2026 - Kalehe Territory, South Kivu | December 30, 2025

Tensions remained high on Tuesday in the village of Tushunguti, located in the Ziralo group, Kalehe Territory, following the killing of a local resident allegedly carried out by an armed individual affiliated with the Wazalendo Kirikicho group, according to local sources.

Early Tuesday morning, angry residents surrounded the residence of the Ziralo group chief, expressing frustration over what they described as persistent insecurity in the area. Demonstrators denounced the silence of the authorities in response to repeated abuses allegedly committed by armed men linked to the Wazalendo, particularly those from the Mai-Mai Kirikicho faction.

A civil society representative reported that these armed elements are frequently accused of theft, violence, and killings. He stated that the victim of Monday evening’s attack was a security guard assigned to protect a depot belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

According to the same source, following the murder, local residents pursued the suspected assailant, who was later killed during the chase. This account was confirmed by notable figures in the region.

Community leaders have since urged South Kivu provincial authorities to take urgent measures to curb the activities of armed groups operating in the area. They called for strict control of weapons and tighter oversight of fighters associated with the Mai-Mai Kirikicho group, warning that continued inaction could further destabilize the region.