In the heart of the Fizi Highlands, the Minembwe region has become the scene of intense clashes between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the feared rebel coalition, Makanika-Red Tabara. It is in this landscape of fierce fighting that an attempt to open a formidable front called “AFC-M23” was played out, which the army claims to have successfully foiled.
Lieutenant Colonel Marc Elongo Kyondwa, spokesperson for the Sukola 2 South-South operational sector, revealed to local radio station Radio Okapi that the FARDC repelled a major attack by the Makanika-Red Tabara coalition. Their objective: to seize the Kiziba airfield in Minembwe to facilitate the supply of weapons, ammunition and men, with a view to opening an AFC-M23 front in South Kivu. In an intense tactical ballet, the two camps engaged in a merciless fight, causing losses on both sides.
The Congolese armed forces suffered losses, with two soldiers killed and three wounded. On the other hand, the rebel coalition suffered a heavy toll, with 31 combatants put out of action and many others wounded. Despite these violent clashes, the civilian population remains at the heart of the FARDC’s concerns, which promise to guarantee their safety and that of their property against these enemies of the nation.
In a climate of temporary calm after these intense fights, the inhabitants of Minembwe can breathe for a moment. But the call launched by Lieutenant-Colonel Marc Elongo Kyondwa is clear: the population must remain united and united to counter the threats hanging over their region. In these moments of tension, unity and solidarity are the greatest weapons to stand against those who seek to sow terror and desolation.
Thus, beyond armed clashes and military strategies, it is the resilience and solidarity of the inhabitants of Minembwe that will make it possible to overcome these challenges and build a safer and more peaceful future for all. The determination of the FARDC to protect the population and defend the integrity of the national territory is a guarantee of hope for a better future, in which peace and security will be the watchwords.