Walungu: 112 Civilians Killed in Eight Months Amid Clashes Between M23 and Wazalendo

Walungu, November 22, 2025 - A coalition of human rights organizations in Walungu, South Kivu, released a deeply alarming report detailing at least 112 civilian deaths recorded between March and November 2025 during clashes between the AFC/M23 rebels and the Wazalendo self-defense groups.

According to the report, the violence has ravaged the areas of Kaniola, Mulamba, Tubimbi, Kamisimbi, and Nyangezi, where civilians-including women and children-have been caught in a cycle of deadly confrontations. Investigators documented serious human rights violations, including rape, mass looting, and arbitrary arrests.

One of the most recent incidents highlighted is the November 20 arrest of two members of the same family in Kaniola, whose relatives say they remain without any information on their whereabouts. Rights defenders are calling for their immediate release and for urgent measures to protect civilians trapped in the conflict zones.