INTELLIGENCE COLLECTION FROM SOUTH KIVU, HERE IS THE TRUTH ABOUT SOME WAZALENDO AGAINST MIKE FOKA AND COLONEL TSHIHUTU IN MWENGA.

 

Before a false version circulates and further confuses the issue, it is important to reestablish the truth about what is happening inShabunda, Mwenga.

A small group of Wazalendo is demanding the departure of Colonel Tshihutu and accuses Mike Foka of collaborating with the M23 and the Chinese. But behind these accusations, the real problem lies elsewhere.

THE REAL PROBLEM IS TAXES

For several months, the Wazalendo have been increasing the number of tax barriers.

- Between Mwenga and Shabunda, there are more than 20 barriers, and a traveler can spend up to 500,000 Congolese francs (≈177 USD) in taxes alone.

- To reach Bukavu, the cost climbs to approximately 1,000,000 Congolese francs (≈354 USD).

These enormous sums are strangling a population already suffering from the Rwandan war and poverty.

This even pushes the population to pass through Uganda and then Rwanda to enter Bukavu, thus increasing the revenues of Rwanda and the M23.

THE INTERVENTION OF MIKE FOKA AND COLONEL TSHIHUTU.

Mike Foka (Provincial Minister of the Interior and commander of the Wazalendo in South Kivu) intervened with Colonel Tshihutu to reiterate that the population is already suffering from the abuses of the M23 and that it is unacceptable to add to the local racketeering. They demanded that all these barriers be removed, leaving only three remaining.

Under this new system, each traveler would pay only 2,000 Congolese francs per barrier, or 6,000 francs (≈2 USD) for the entire journey—instead of 500,000 to 1,000,000 CFA francs.

CLASH BETWEEN WAZALENDO

This decision angered an "unruly" Wazalendo faction. They attacked elements loyal to Mike Foka (including those from Maniema).

The population, which had denounced the abuses, supports Foka's approach. After two days of fighting, the FARDC intervened to end the clashes.

THE FALSE ACCUSATIONS

Having lost at least five soldiers, the undisciplined Wazalendo then launched a campaign of accusations against Mike Foka and Colonel Tshihutu, accusing them of treason and complicity with the enemy.

But on the ground in Mwenga, the population is overwhelmingly against them.

THE ULTIMATUM OF THE FARDC AND MIKE FOKA

An ultimatum has been given: the unruly Wazalendo must submit and remove all illegal barriers, or they will be neutralized by force. The dismantling mission is underway and will be carried out "willingly or by force."