Sud-Kivu: Twirwaneho and M23/AFC-M23 seize Point Zéro, a key military outpost

Minembwe, 6 July 2026 — The armed groups Twirwaneho and M23/AFC-M23, both linked to the politico-military coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC-M23), have announced taking control of Point Zéro, a strategic military position in the Itombwe highlands, Mwenga territory, South Kivu. According to their statements, this base was one of the last major strongholds held by the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Armed Forces (FARDC), the Burundian National Defence Force (FDNB), and the Kinshasa-backed Wazalendo militias in the region. The area has been the scene of persistent clashes for months, with no official response yet from the Congolese or Burundian authorities.

In a statement signed by Twirwaneho’s military spokesperson, Fidèle Rugabo, the armed factions claim they launched a coordinated assault on Point Zéro on Saturday, 4 July. After several hours of intense fighting, they declared victory, asserting that FARDC troops, Burundian soldiers from the FDNB, and Wazalendo militias had abandoned their positions.

« Point Zéro is now under our control, » the statement read, adding that military withdrawals were observed in multiple surrounding zones, including Mikenge, Kalongi, and Rubemba.

Local residents in Minembwe, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the atmosphere as tense yet cautiously optimistic. « We’ve lived through months of relentless violence. If this base has truly fallen, perhaps it will ease the pressure on our villages, » said one resident.

While unverified reports suggest that FARDC and FDNB forces have withdrawn from several key locations—including Point Zéro, Mikenge, Kalongi, Rubemba, and Kakenge—retreat towards Mutambala, Mukera, and the neighbouring Fizi territory has not been independently confirmed.

Point Zéro: a critical military hub in South Kivu

Nestled within the Itombwe massif, Point Zéro is considered one of the most tactically vital positions in the South Kivu highlands. Its capture grants control over key supply and movement corridors linking Minembwe, Mikenge, Mwenga, and Fizi—routes frequently contested by rival armed factions.

Since the M23/AFC-M23 withdrew from Uvira in January 2026, the Itombwe highlands have become the epicentre of intensified clashes involving FARDC, Burundian troops, Wazalendo militias, and Twirwaneho, which operates in alliance with the AFC-M23 coalition.

Burundi’s military presence under a bilateral security pact

The deployment of Burundian troops in eastern DRC is authorised under a bilateral security cooperation agreement between Gitega and Kinshasa. Both governments have repeatedly acknowledged the accord, which permits the FDNB’s presence on Congolese soil.

According to internal Congolese Interior Ministry data, over 29,000 Burundian soldiers were deployed in eastern DRC between August 2022 and December 2025. Initially tasked with combating Burundian rebel groups such as RED-Tabara, the FDNB has since participated in joint operations with FARDC against multiple armed factions active in the region.

Recent months have seen troop movements across Mwenga, Fizi, and Uvira territories, coinciding with a surge in hostilities between government-aligned forces and the two armed groups.

Regional tensions and shifting alliances

Underlying the conflict in eastern DRC are deep-rooted regional rivalries. Kinshasa has long accused Kigali of backing the M23/AFC-M23, a claim Rwanda denies. Conversely, Rwanda accuses FARDC of collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a predominantly Hutu armed group with ties to the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.

Burundi, for its part, has accused Rwanda of supporting hostile armed factions operating in eastern DRC, while Kigali has criticised Gitega’s cooperation with the FDLR and other regional armed groups.

A region still gripped by instability

The latest seizure occurs amid high diplomatic tensions, despite recent efforts to de-escalate the crisis. A peace accord signed in Washington on 27 June 2026—mediated by the United States—aimed to reduce hostilities and facilitate military disengagement between DRC and Rwanda. Yet, fighting persists on the ground, particularly in the volatile highlands of South Kivu.

The region remains one of the most unstable in the Great Lakes area, where local rivalries, community tensions, and geopolitical interests continue to fuel a protracted and complex conflict. At the time of reporting, no official response had been issued by FARDC, FDNB, or Burundian authorities regarding the armed groups’ claims.