The Military Governor of North Kivu Province, Maj. Gen. Somo Kakule Evariste, arrived in Butembo on the evening of Saturday, July 5, 2025, where he was welcomed by the city’s mayor, Police Commissioner Roger Mowa, the military commander in Lubero, Colonel Alain Kiwewa Mitela, and other local officials.
Journalists were briefed about recent clashes between the FARDC-UPDF coalition and the Mai-Mai group, which identifies itself as part of the Wazalendo (Patriots) movement, based mainly in Baswagha, particularly in Muhola.
According to information from mediacongo.net, the governor explained the situation as follows:
“On the Musienene-Buyinga road, this was not a military operation against VDP (Volunteers for the Defense of the Nation/Wazalendo), who collaborate with FARDC. Rather, there was an exchange of gunfire with illegally armed individuals trying to disrupt ongoing military operations.”
These clarifications from the governor seemed intended to reassure the public amid concerns about whether the fighting had once again forced civilians to flee their homes.
