A video message received by Minembwe.com from the people of Minembwe shows dozens of houses burned by the national army of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in those areas, allegedly due to their hatred against the Banyamulenge ethnic group.
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This comes after attacks carried out by the 21st Brigade, which has its headquarters in Minembwe, targeting the villages of Kiziba and Muzinda, inhabited by Banyamulenge civilians.
These attacks by FARDC took place early in the morning on Friday. During these operations, the soldiers burned down 25 houses in Muzinda and Kiziba.
The video footage shows some houses with their roofs set on fire, while others were destroyed by the soldiers using machetes, rifle butts, and other tools.
The footage does not show any non-Banyamulenge houses being destroyed, despite the presence of Pfulero houses in some of these areas.
What FARDC did in Muzinda and Kiziba is similar to what they had done in the past two weeks when they burned down 15 houses in Lundu, including those in the 8th CEPAC neighborhood and Lundu in Bahinda.
On another front, Twirwaneho continues to control part of Kiziba, which they captured on Friday, February 14, 2025, while the other part remains under FARDC control.
Twirwaneho oversees the airport, Kiziba hospital, and the residence of Lt. Gen. Masunzu. However, FARDC troops stationed in these areas are fleeing toward Mulima.
A message from residents of these areas states: “FARDC withdrew overnight. They are fleeing.” These troops are retreating following the capture of Bukavu by M23 on Friday of this week.
Besides Minembwe, FARDC forces are also withdrawing from Mikenke and heading toward Mulima.
The message adds: “Yesterday, a large number of FARDC soldiers fled southward. About 340 moved down. As for Mikenke, I think only a few remain. Most have left.” However, some FARDC soldiers are still in these areas and have not yet fled, according to the report.
