Twirwaneho and M23/AFC-M23 seize Point Zéro, a key FARDC and FDNB stronghold in Sud-Kivu
Minembwe, 6 July 2026 — The armed groups Twirwaneho and M23/AFC-M23, part of the politico-military coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC-M23), have declared control over the strategic Point Zéro position in the Itombwe sector, Mwenga territory of Sud-Kivu. According to their claims, the base served as one of the primary strongholds for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Armed Forces (FARDC), the Burundian National Defence Force (FDNB), and the Wazalendo militias, which are backed by Kinshasa. The highlands have been a flashpoint for recurring clashes over recent months, with no official response yet from the implicated forces.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by Fidèle Rugabo, military spokesperson for the Twirwaneho armed group, asserting that combatants launched an offensive on Saturday, 4 July, against Point Zéro. After several hours of intense fighting, the position fell under their control.
“Point Zéro is now in our hands,” the communiqué declared, claiming that FARDC troops, Burundian soldiers from the FDNB, and Wazalendo militias had abandoned their positions without resistance.
Local sources report heavy fighting in surrounding areas, particularly along the routes connecting Mikenge, Kalongi, and Rubemba. Residents in Minembwe are cautiously observing the developments, hoping for a lull in violence after months of unrelenting conflict.
“We’ve endured constant clashes since the start of the year. If this position has truly fallen, perhaps it will ease the attacks in the region,” shared a local resident who wished to remain anonymous.
According to unverified local accounts, elements of FARDC and FDNB forces have reportedly withdrawn from several positions, including Point Zéro, Mikenge, Kalongi, Rubemba, and Kakenge, retreating toward Mutambala, Mukera, and the neighboring territory of Fizi.
Point Zéro: a critical hub in the highlands
Nestled within the Itombwe massif, Point Zéro is regarded as one of the most militarily sensitive locations in Sud-Kivu’s highlands. Its strategic value lies in its control over key routes linking Minembwe, Mikenge, Mwenga, and Fizi—a region where armed groups frequently clash for territorial dominance.
Since the M23/AFC-M23 withdrew from Uvira in January 2026, combat has intensified across the highlands. The area has become a central battleground for FARDC, Burundian forces, Wazalendo militias, and Twirwaneho fighters, who are aligned with the AFC-M23 coalition.
Burundian military presence under a bilateral security pact
The deployment of Burundian troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is governed by a bilateral security cooperation agreement between Gitega and Kinshasa. Both governments have repeatedly acknowledged the pact, which permits the FDNB’s presence on Congolese soil.
According to data from the Congolese Ministry of the Interior and Security, over 29,000 Burundian soldiers were deployed across eastern DRC between August 2022 and December 2025. Initially tasked with combating Burundian rebel groups like RED-Tabara, the FDNB now participates in joint operations with FARDC against various armed factions active in the region.
Recent months have seen troop redeployments in Mwenga, Fizi, and Uvira territories, coinciding with a surge in clashes between government forces and the two armed groups.
Regional tensions and shifting alliances
The conflict in eastern DRC remains deeply entwined with regional rivalries. Kinshasa frequently accuses Kigali of supporting the M23/AFC-M23, a claim Rwanda denies. Meanwhile, Rwanda alleges that FARDC collaborates with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group composed largely of former Hutu extremists linked to the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.
Burundi has also accused Rwanda of backing hostile armed factions operating in eastern DRC, while Kigali criticizes Gitega for its cooperation with the FDLR and other rebel groups in the area.
A region gripped by instability despite diplomatic efforts
The latest claims emerge amid escalating tensions, even as diplomatic initiatives aim to stabilize eastern DRC. A landmark agreement signed in Washington on 27 June 2026—mediated by the United States—sought to de-escalate hostilities and outline military disengagement in the region. Yet, fighting persists on the ground, particularly in Sud-Kivu’s highlands.
The area remains one of the most volatile in the Great Lakes region, where local rivalries, intercommunal strife, and geopolitical ambitions sustain a protracted and intricate conflict. At the time of reporting, no official response had been issued by FARDC, FDNB, or Burundian authorities regarding the armed groups’ assertions.
