4 Dead and 14 Wounded in Exchanges of Fire Between 2 Armed Groups; FARDC Restores Order

 Uvira: 

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) announced that they had restored order on Sunday, November 23, 2025, in the city of Uvira (South Kivu), following clashes between two factions claiming to be "fake Wazalendo." The clashes severely disrupted the city, the provisional seat of provincial institutions.

According to information provided by the spokesperson for Operation Sukola 2 South Kivu, Second Lieutenant Mbuyi Kalonji Reagan, sporadic gunfire reported in several neighborhoods resulted in a provisional death toll of four: one FARDC soldier, two members of the Wazalendo groups involved, and a civilian motorcyclist. Fourteen people were also wounded, including nine civilians, two loyalist soldiers, and three Wazalendo fighters. The wounded were transferred to the Uvira Military Referral Hospital and the Uvira General Hospital. The FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) reported recovering three AK-47 rifles during the operation.

Military authorities denounced a "destabilization plan" attributed to enemies of the country, who are allegedly using groups falsely claiming to be part of the Wazalendo movement to sow confusion and undermine stabilization efforts in the east of the country. The army stated that these elements were "neutralized and rendered harmless" thanks to the joint intervention of the Panther units and the Rapid Intervention Battalion.

The commander of the 33rd Military Region and head of the South Kivu and Maniema Task Force, Brigadier General Ilunga Kabamba Jean-Jacques, called on the population "not to succumb to disinformation" and to cooperate with the security services. He also urged residents to report any troublemakers in a security context marked by the activities of armed groups, notably the M23-AFC coalition, which the FARDC accuses of being supported by the RDF.

In the aftermath of the incidents, a lull was reported in the city. The army asserted that the situation was now under control, pending the conclusions of investigations launched to identify those responsible for the disturbances.