Intense clashes are currently unfolding across the high and mid-plateaus of Fizi territory, situated within the South Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. These confrontations pit the AFC/M23-Twirwaneho rebel coalition, which Kinshasa alleges receives backing from the Rwandan army, against the FARDC-Wazalendo coalition, reportedly supported by the Burundian military.

While both factions declare advances on the battlefield, the local population’s primary concern centers on the heavy militarization of Baraka and Fizi-Centre. These two strategically vital localities are experiencing daily life increasingly disrupted by the ongoing hostilities.

A strategic region at the heart of the conflict

On the ground, rebel forces claim to have advanced from Mulima village to the “Point Zero” sector, pushing towards Mukera. However, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) refute this account, asserting instead that they have recaptured multiple areas and driven the combatants further south.

Beyond the conflicting statements, the stakes are undeniably strategic. Baraka, nestled on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, serves as Fizi territory’s primary administrative hub. This critical town links Uvira territory to the north with Tanganyika province to the south.

Following the AFC/M23 rebel attack on Uvira and their subsequent retreat northward, Baraka has transformed into a crucial nexus for both civilian and military logistics. Its airfield and ports facilitate the movement of reinforcements across Lake Tanganyika. Meanwhile, Fizi-Centre offers a key access route into the Minembwe High Plateaus and extends towards the Maniema and Tanganyika provinces.

Residents gripped by fear

Within this government-controlled zone, residents now endure a daily existence marked by gunfire and explosions. The nearly nightly sound of gunshots has instilled widespread panic. Businesses operate on a curtailed schedule, typically opening around 9 AM and closing by 5 PM.

“There’s a significant military presence in town; they’ve descended from the mountains,” recounted Justin, a Fizi resident. “Every evening, all activities abruptly cease. Bullets fly in every direction… Just recently, a drone-dropped bomb injured several people. We are living in a climate of intense insecurity, and it’s deeply concerning, but we hold onto hope that our government will ultimately find a resolution.”

Army pledges to restore control

In response to the deteriorating security situation, the FARDC has declared the launch of an offensive aimed at reclaiming villages that fell under rebel control across the high plateaus of Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga. This area presents significant challenges due to its difficult terrain and extremely limited telecommunications infrastructure.

“To the populations of Fizi, Mwenga, Uvira, and all of South Kivu, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo extend a message of trust and reassurance,” stated Lieutenant Reagan Mbuyi Kalonji, spokesperson for Operation Sukola 2 South-South Kivu. “We assure you that all necessary operational measures are being implemented to guarantee your protection, continue the reconquest, and progressively restore state authority across every part of our national territory.”

Human rights defenders under pressure

Nevertheless, civil society organizations are condemning a growing climate of intimidation. According to numerous human rights defenders, certain activists have become targets of arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions, and even abductions.

One such individual, speaking anonymously, asserted: “Human rights defenders are facing death threats, arbitrary arrests, and various forms of intimidation. They are frequently equated with allies of the AFC/M23 rebel movement. We urge the Congolese authorities to ensure our safety and to cease all forms of intimidation against us, as we are not participants in this armed conflict.”

On the ground, the fighting persists with neither side achieving a decisive advantage. The AFC/M23-Twirwaneho and the FARDC, supported by the Wazalendo, continue to exchange accusations of using drones to bomb densely populated villages in the Minembwe region.

As these protracted clashes continue, the residents of Fizi and Baraka fear a further decline in the security situation and urgently appeal for a lasting return to peace.