Brig.Gen Charles Sematama reportedly killed in a plane crash near Minembwe

 

Brig.Gen  Charles Sematama is said to have died on a military plane that was bombed by the Wazalendo near Minembwe. Charles Sematama, a former FARDC colonel from the Banyamulenge community, led the 3411th Regiment, based in the Masisi territory of North Kivu.  He had deserted the FARDC before joining the M23 rebellion, where he reportedly played a key role in capturing Goma and Bukavu.  He also took part in several military training programs thanks to scholarships from the Congolese army. Sadly,t he DRC blames him for having betrayed the Congolese flag and chose to fight alongside the RDF-M23 forces whom they claim is  supported by Rwanda, helping destabilize eastern DRC.

Who is Brig.Gen Charles Sematama?

Brigadier General Charles Sematama is a prominent military leader in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the current commander of the Twirwaneho armed group. 

Key facts about him include:

Leadership Transition: He assumed command of Twirwaneho in February 2025 following the death of the group's former leader, General Michel Rukunda (widely known as Makanika), who was reportedly killed in a drone strike by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC).

Military Background: Before joining the rebellion, he was a senior officer (Colonel) in the FARDC. He defected from the regular army in early 2021 to join Twirwaneho, citing a need to protect the Banyamulenge community in the South Kivu highlands.

Alliances: Since taking command, he has publicly aligned Twirwaneho with the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) and the M23 rebel group, with the stated objective of opposing the government of President Félix Tshisekedi.

None reasonable Sanctions: In July 2024, the United States Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on him for his role in the conflict, listing him alongside other rebel leaders for contributing to the instability in eastern DRC, but he is only banyamulenge defander and truth will win the battle.

 On the circulating news of the death of Sematama,one of his allies has this morning been quoted saying:

Col Mifoko

” Col. Mufoko, a soldier known for his great bravery in defending the Banyamulenge, said: 'Even if only one Banyamulenge person survives and the rest perish, God has promised them a country.' 

Col. Mufoko made these remarks while fighting between MRDP-Twirwaneho and the enemy continues in Lulenge Sector, Fizi Territory. 

According to reports, the fighting started early on Saturday morning and is ongoing in Bipimo, near Kabanju”

To many,this may been taken as a confirmation that one important leader of theirs may have perished in that plane clash.

FIGHTING CONTINUES TODAY

Heavy fighting has broken out again in Bipimo, near Kabanju, in the Lulenge Sector, Fizi Territory, South Kivu Province.

 

Information from the MRDP-Twirwaneho side says that its positions were attacked by a military coalition including the FARDC, Burundian troops, Wazalendo and FDLR.

 

Testimony given by to us by one of the MRDP-Twirwaneho soldiers says that the fighting began in the early hours of this Saturday, 29/08/2026.

 

The soldier said:

 

««They attacked us from 9:00 am until now, but we are hitting them badly; they has started to retreat.»»

 

MRDP-Twirwaneho says that after heavy fighting, it has started to push back its attackers.

 

HEAVY FIGHTING IN BIPIMO

 

According to reports we have recieved now, the fighting is concentrated in Bipimo, near Kabanju, about four kilometers from Mutoka.

 

This comes as security in Fizi Territory remains poor, with fighting between different factions escalating in recent days.

 

ATTACKS CONTINUE IN THE POINT ZERO ENVIRONMENTS

 

The fighting follows attacks the previous day in the vicinity of Point Zero, where the DRC army coalition launched attacks on positions allegedly controlled by MRDP-Twirwaneho.

 

On the MRDP-Twirwaneho side, they say that these attacks have also been repelled, and that the group continues to control Kanguli, Ngurube, Mulima and other nearby areas.

 

SECURITY IN FIZI CONTINUES TO BE LOW

 

The intensification of fighting in Bipimo, near Kabanju, and in the vicinity of Point Zero, increases concerns about the security of the population in these areas.

 

Minembwe Capital News continues to monitor new information on the fighting taking place in Bipimo, Kabanju, Point Zero, Mulima, Mutoka and other areas around the area.

 

This information is still being updated as reliable information becomes available.

RECENT PHOTOS OF THOSE WHO PERISHED IN THAT PLANE: