Clashes took place this Tuesday, February 25, between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Wazalendo militiamen in the city of Sangé (Uvira territory). According to several sources, the two parties, partners in arms, are fighting to occupy the former MONUSCO camp based in Sangé. These facilities were bequeathed to the army after the disengagement of the UN force in the area.
"The crux of the conflict between Wazalendo and FARDC is that the latter wanted to return to the MONUSCO camp which is now held by the Wazalendo," according to a humanitarian source in the area .
A local civil society actor specifies that the clashes are taking place in Mugenyi, in the heart of Sange city.
"The Wazalendo refuse the FARDC to occupy a former MONUSCO camp in the Mugenyi 2 district in the city of Sange. What the Wazalendo do not want," adds the source.
The situation has been tense in Sange since the morning. For the moment, at least seven deaths have been recorded.
"The current toll is 7 deaths on the FARDC side and one on the Wazalendo side and monitoring is underway," specifies the humanitarian source.
It is since May 25, 2024 that this Sange base was officially handed over to the Congolese authorities. And this base is attributed to the army. The latter hastily retreated to Uvira in the face of the offensive of the M23 rebels. It was after the departure of the Congolese soldiers that the Wazalendo occupied the said base. On their return to Sange, the FARDC soldiers are determined to reoccupy the base at all costs. Which triggered the conflict.
These clashes in Sange come after those of last week in Uvira between the FARDC and the wazalendo which left at least 27 dead and dozens injured, according to humanitarian sources.
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