Twirwaneho and M23/AFC-M23 seize Point Zéro, a critical FARDC and FDNB stronghold in Sud-Kivu

Minembwe, 6 July 2026 — The armed groups Twirwaneho and M23/AFC-M23, part of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC-M23), have declared victory over the strategic military position of Point Zéro in Itombwe, Mwenga territory, Sud-Kivu. The base, long regarded as a cornerstone of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), the Burundi Defence Force (FDNB), and Kinshasa-backed Wazalendo militias, has fallen after intense clashes in a region plagued by persistent violence.

The announcement, issued by Twirwaneho’s military spokesperson Fidèle Rugabo, details a two-day offensive launched on 4 July. Following hours of fierce combat, the communiqué states that both FARDC units and Burundian troops, alongside Wazalendo fighters, abandoned their positions without resistance.

« Point Zéro is now under our control, » the statement declares, asserting that the retreat of government forces marks a turning point in the ongoing struggle for dominance in the highlands.

Local sources report heavy fighting across multiple axes, including routes linking Mikenge, Kalongi, and Rubemba. Residents in Minembwe describe a climate of cautious optimism, hoping the shift in control might ease the relentless cycle of violence that has gripped the area for months.

« We’ve lived in fear since the year began. If this base has truly been taken, perhaps the attacks will finally ease, » shared a local resident, requesting anonymity.

Unverified reports suggest additional retreats by FARDC and FDNB forces from other strategic positions, including Mikenge, Kalongi, Rubemba, and Kakenge, as they regroup toward Mutambala, Mukera, and Fizi territory. These claims remain unconfirmed.

Point Zéro: a linchpin in Sud-Kivu’s highlands

Perched in the Itombwe massif, Point Zéro serves as a critical military vantage point, overseeing key supply and movement corridors connecting Minembwe, Mikenge, Mwenga, and Fizi. The base’s strategic importance has made it a frequent flashpoint in the territorial disputes among armed factions operating in the region.

Since the M23/AFC-M23 withdrawal from Uvira in January 2026, clashes in the highlands have intensified, drawing in FARDC, Burundian troops, Wazalendo militias, and Twirwaneho fighters aligned with the AFC-M23 coalition.

Burundian military presence rooted in bilateral agreement

The deployment of Burundian forces in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) stems from a bilateral security cooperation pact between Gitega and Kinshasa. Both governments have repeatedly acknowledged the accord, which permits the FDNB’s operations on Congolese soil.

Official DRC Interior Ministry data indicates that 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 now collaborates in joint operations with FARDC against multiple armed factions active in the region.

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

Regional tensions and lingering instability

The conflict in eastern DRC remains deeply entangled in regional rivalries. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Kigali of backing the M23/AFC-M23, allegations Rwanda denies. Meanwhile, Kigali accuses FARDC of collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a predominantly Hutu rebel group with ties to the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.

Burundi has also accused Rwanda of supporting armed factions hostile to its interests in eastern DRC, while Kigali criticises Gitega’s cooperation with the FDLR and other regional armed groups.

A persistent crisis despite diplomatic efforts

This latest development follows a 27 June 2026 agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, mediated by the United States in Washington, aimed at de-escalating tensions and outlining military disengagement. Yet, combat operations continue unabated, particularly in Sud-Kivu’s highlands.

The region remains one of the most volatile in the Great Lakes area, where local rivalries, intercommunal tensions, and geopolitical rivalries fuel a complex and enduring conflict. As of publication, no official response from FARDC, FDNB, or Burundian authorities has been issued regarding the armed groups’ claims.