Twirwaneho Captures Point-Zéro from DRC Government Forces

On January 16, 2026, MRDP-Twirwaneho announced that it had captured Point-Zéro from the DRC government forces, marking a significant development in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The armed group, which is fighting the DRC government, seized Point-Zéro, a strategic area for the coalition of DRC forces, Burundian troops, Wazalendo groups, and the FDLR terrorist group. The capture came on the morning of January 16, a day after Twirwaneho had taken other key positions in Fizi territory, including Mount Baruta, and shot down a drone belonging to the DRC government forces. The Twirwaneho leadership said that after losing Point-Zéro, Mount Baruta, and Isumo, coalition forces fled toward the Mulima and Mutambala areas. Point-Zéro had served as a key base for the DRC government forces, blocking the road connecting Minembwe commune with other parts of Fizi and Uvira territories. The base was also used to plan and launch major attacks on Minembwe areas inhabited by the Banyamulenge, as well as other locations where they had sought refuge, including Mikenke. Analyst Dr. Alex Mvuka, who closely monitors the situation in the DRC, said that Point-Zéro was one of three key locations for government forces. “They used Point-Zéro as a base to launch indiscriminate attacks on the Banyamulenge villages in the highlands in general and in the Minembwe area in particular,” Dr. Mvuka said. Supporters of the DRC government have expressed concern that following the fall of Point-Zéro, Twirwaneho fighters could advance further into Fizi, including Mulima, Fizi center, and the town of Baraka.