On the morning of Monday, June 9, 2025, the coalition of armed forces fighting alongside the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo launched attacks against Banyamulenge civilians in the Rugezi area, located in Fizi Territory, South Kivu Province.
The news was shared via a brief message sent to a local media outlet in South Kivu. The message read: “The enemy has attacked us in Rugezi. They struck in a place called Muchikachika. They are now advancing toward civilian-populated areas and positions held by Twirwaneho.”
The information indicates that the attacking coalition comprises Congo’s army (FARDC), Burundi’s army (FDNB), the FDLR, and the Wazalendo militia. They launched the assault at around 6:30 a.m. this Monday.
Gunfire, both heavy and light weapons, has since been heard across various locations in Rugezi and even in Minembwe Centre, according to a local resident.
This attack comes after about three weeks of calm in Minembwe, following drone strikes that had recently targeted the mountainous areas around Minembwe, causing fear and displacement.
Previous attacks by Burundian troops against the Banyamulenge occurred in late May in Mikenke and Bijabo. These forces had moved in from Ndondo in Bijombo and the south of Mbogo, along the Uvira-Baraka road and the Bibogobogo area.
The attacks were strongly condemned by the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) through its spokesperson, who warned that if such operations continued, they would be silenced, as the group claimed to have done elsewhere.
Meanwhile, clashes between the two sides are ongoing. However, reports suggest that although the pro-government coalition is intensifying its offensives, the Twirwaneho and M23 forces have not yet responded.
