South Kivu FARDC Burundian M23 Clashes: New Fighting Erupts in Eastern DRC

• Violent clashes have erupted in South Kivu, DRC, since Sunday, prior to August 31, 2026, involving the FARDC, Burundian forces, and Wazalendo militias against the AFC/M23 and Twirwaneho.
• Both sides claim territorial gains and repelled attacks in Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga territories, with specific locations like Malimba, Ruhuha, and Rubarati mentioned.
• The strategic Minembwe region is central to military objectives, with pro-government forces aiming to prevent AFC/M23 advances towards Tanganyika province and control key axes.
• Over 29,000 Burundian soldiers were deployed in the DRC between August 2022 and December 2025, with approximately 10,000 remaining by the end of 2025, highlighting significant foreign military involvement.
• The AFC/M23, led by Corneille Nangaa, advocates for dialogue, reforms, and a federal state, claiming to fight discrimination against the Congolese Tutsi population.

The ongoing and escalating conflict in South Kivu, characterized by the direct involvement of multiple state and non-state actors, signals extreme political and security risks for any businesses or individuals operating within the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Violent confrontations have erupted in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province, specifically across the Fizi, Uvira, and Mwenga territories, since Sunday, prior to August 31, 2026. These latest **South Kivu FARDC Burundian M23 clashes** involve the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), supported by the Burundi National Defense Force (FDNB) and Kinshasa-backed Wazalendo militias, against fighters from the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/M23 and Twirwaneho groups. Local reports indicate the use of heavy weaponry and drones by forces aligned with the FARDC in areas like Malimba, Rubarati, and Ruhuha within Uvira territory.

A fighter associated with the Kinshasa-backed Wazalendo militias, operating in the Malimba vicinity, asserted that the FARDC, FDNB, and Wazalendo forces successfully recaptured several positions in Malimba, Ruhuha, and Rubarati. These positions were reportedly held by the AFC/M23, Twirwaneho, and Red Tabara. However, these claims have not been independently verified. Conversely, Fidèle Rugabo, a spokesperson for Twirwaneho, stated that his group's fighters repelled multiple assaults by pro-Kinshasa forces, which included the FARDC, FDNB, Wazalendo militias, and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). He specifically cited engagements in Kabanju, Kipupu, Nyamabuguma, and Point Zéro, located in the Fizi and Mwenga territories, before the pro-Kinshasa forces allegedly retreated towards Mulima, Lulenge, Kiseke, and Kitumba. These counter-claims also await independent corroboration, highlighting the complex and often contradictory nature of reporting from the front lines of the **DRC South Kivu conflict**.

The Minembwe region, situated in the highlands of South Kivu, remains a critical focal point in the ongoing military operations. According to various security analyses, the FARDC, FDNB, and Kinshasa-backed Wazalendo militias are actively working to regain control of positions surrounding Minembwe. Their primary objective is to prevent a potential advance by the AFC/M23 towards Tanganyika province, thereby containing the expansion of the rebel group's influence. This strategic maneuver underscores the high stakes involved in the **Minembwe South Kivu clashes**.

Further south, operations are also targeting Bijombo with the aim of halting the progression of AFC/M23 and Twirwaneho fighters toward Uvira. Controlling the vital axis connecting Rurambo, Bijombo, and Minembwe is another key objective for the pro-government forces. The **FARDC FDNB M23 Twirwaneho fighting** in these areas is thus not merely about territorial control but about securing crucial supply routes and preventing the consolidation of opposing forces. The AFC, a political coalition with the M23 as its primary armed component, is led by Corneille Nangaa, former president of the DRC's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). This coalition asserts its struggle is against discrimination and violence, particularly affecting the Congolese Tutsi population, and advocates for direct dialogue with Kinshasa, comprehensive political and security reforms, and addressing the root causes of eastern DRC's protracted conflicts, including the establishment of a federal state in the DRC.

The recent clashes underscore the significant and expanding military involvement of Burundi in the Congolese conflict. An internal report from the Congolese Ministry of Interior and Security, reviewed by SOS Médias Burundi in December 2025, revealed that over 29,000 Burundian soldiers were deployed to the DRC between August 2022 and December 2025. These forces operated alongside the FARDC and Kinshasa-backed Wazalendo militias, engaging the M23 across various parts of eastern DRC. This substantial **Burundi military deployment DRC** highlights the regionalization of the conflict, extending its reach far beyond the DRC's national borders.

By the close of 2025, approximately 10,000 Burundian soldiers reportedly remained stationed in eastern Congo, as per the same document. This sustained presence indicates a long-term commitment by Burundi to the conflict, further complicating the security landscape. The involvement of foreign military forces, such as the FDNB, alongside local militias and national armies, transforms what might otherwise be an internal struggle into a complex regional war with multiple state and non-state actors.

The ongoing and escalating conflict in South Kivu, characterized by the direct involvement of multiple state and non-state actors, signals extreme political and security risks for any businesses or individuals operating within the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The persistent **AFC M23 Twirwaneho Red Tabara** clashes, coupled with the significant presence of foreign military forces, create an unpredictable and volatile environment. This necessitates a re-evaluation of operational strategies and risk mitigation measures for all stakeholders.

Lawyers and compliance officers must advise their clients on the imperative for heightened due diligence across all supply chains originating from or passing through the region. The potential for severe business disruption is substantial, ranging from logistical impediments to direct threats to personnel and assets. Furthermore, the complex interplay of armed groups and national armies, particularly with foreign military involvement, significantly increases exposures related to human rights and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance. Companies must be acutely aware of the ethical and legal implications of operating in a zone marked by such intense and protracted conflict.

This ongoing conflict in South Kivu, involving multiple state and non-state actors, signals extreme political and security risk for businesses and individuals operating in Eastern DRC. Lawyers and compliance officers should advise clients on heightened due diligence for supply chains, potential for business disruption, and increased human rights and ESG compliance exposures, especially given the significant foreign military involvement.

Source: Original reporting via SOS Médias Burundi