AFC/M23 Takes Control of Kipupu in Mwenga Territory After Clashes With Wazalendo

Mwenga, July 10, 2026 - AFC/M23 fighters have taken control of Kipupu, a key locality in the Itombwe sector of Mwenga territory, South Kivu, following clashes with armed Wazalendo groups operating in the area. According to local sources, the takeover occurred on Friday, July 10, after fighting erupted between AFC/M23 elements and Wazalendo positions. Witnesses reported the use of drones during the operation, alongside exchanges of fire between the opposing forces. Local authorities and community leaders confirmed the presence in Kipupu of armed elements from Twirwaheno and Red Tabara, groups reported to be allied with AFC/M23. The renewed fighting has caused further displacement among residents of Kipupu and surrounding villages, according to local civil society representatives. Many inhabitants reportedly fled their homes seeking safer areas as tensions increased. The capture of Kipupu marks another shift in the security situation in the highlands of South Kivu, a region that has experienced repeated confrontations between armed groups competing for territorial influence. Kipupu had previously fallen under AFC/M23 control in December 2025 following military operations linked to the group’s advance toward Uvira. The latest developments indicate the continued volatility of the security situation in Mwenga territory and the wider highlands of South Kivu.