Point Zéro in Sud-Kivu falls to Twirwaneho and M23/AFC-M23 forces
Minembwe, July 6, 2026 — The armed groups Twirwaneho and M23/AFC-M23, part of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC-M23) politico-military coalition, have claimed control of the strategic Point Zéro position in the Itombwe sector, Mwenga territory, Sud-Kivu. According to their statements, this 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—backed by Kinshasa—in the highlands, a region plagued by recurring clashes over recent months. No official response has been issued at the time of reporting.
In a communiqué signed by Twirwaneho’s military spokesperson, Fidèle Rugabo, fighters assert they launched an offensive on July 4 against Point Zéro before seizing it following hours of intense fighting.
The statement declares, « Point Zéro is now under our control », adding that FARDC troops, Burundian FDNB forces, and Wazalendo militias—all supported by Kinshasa—abandoned their positions.
Local sources report heavy fighting in surrounding areas, particularly along routes connecting Mikenge, Kalongi, and Rubemba.
Residents in Minembwe describe the situation with caution, hoping for a lull after months of persistent violence.
« Since the start of the year, we’ve lived through endless battles. If this position truly has fallen, perhaps it could ease attacks in the region, » shared a local resident.
Multiple sources indicate FARDC and FDNB units may have withdrawn from several positions—including Point Zéro, Mikenge, Kalongi, Rubemba, and Kakenge—retreating toward Mutambala, Mukera, and Fizi territory. These claims remain unverified independently.
Why Point Zéro matters in Sud-Kivu’s highlands
Nestled in the Itombwe massif, Point Zéro is a critical military outpost in the Sud-Kivu highlands. Its capture grants control over key axes linking Minembwe, Mikenge, Mwenga, and Fizi—a region where armed groups frequently clash for territorial dominance.
Since the M23/AFC-M23’s withdrawal from Uvira in January 2026, combat has escalated in the highlands, becoming a focal point for clashes between FARDC, Burundian forces, Wazalendo militias, and the Twirwaneho group—aligned with the AFC-M23 coalition.
Burundi’s military presence under a bilateral security pact
Burundi’s troop deployment in eastern DRC operates under a bilateral security cooperation agreement between Gitega and Kinshasa. Both governments have repeatedly confirmed the pact, which permits FDNB forces to operate on Congolese soil.
According to a report from the Congolese Ministry of Interior and Security, over 29,000 Burundian soldiers were deployed in eastern DRC between August 2022 and December 2025.
Initially deployed to counter 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 movements in Mwenga, Fizi, and Uvira territories amid intensifying clashes between government forces and armed groups.
Regional tensions and shifting alliances
The conflict in eastern DRC remains fueled by regional rivalries. Kinshasa frequently accuses Kigali of backing the M23/AFC-M23, a claim Rwanda denies. Kigali, in turn, alleges FARDC collusion with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)—a rebel group composed partly of former Hutu extremists linked to the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.
Burundi also accuses Rwanda of supporting hostile armed groups in eastern DRC, while Kigali criticizes Gitega’s cooperation with FDLR and other regional factions.
Diplomatic efforts fail to curb ongoing instability
This latest territorial claim arrives amid high tensions, despite recent diplomatic efforts to stabilize eastern DRC. A June 27, 2026, agreement signed in Washington between DRC and Rwanda—mediated by the U.S.—aimed to reduce hostilities and guide military disengagement. Yet fighting persists on the ground, particularly in the Sud-Kivu highlands.
The region remains one of the most volatile in the Great Lakes area, where local rivalries, communal tensions, and geopolitical rivalries sustain a complex and enduring conflict. No official reaction has been issued by FARDC, FDNB, or Burundian authorities regarding the armed groups’ claims.