On Monday, February 10, 2025, at approximately 9:00 AM, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), in collaboration with armed groups including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and Wazalendo, launched a fierce attack on Kalingi, a village inhabited by the Banyamulenge community. However, the Twirwaneho self-defense group successfully repelled the assault.
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Kalingi is located in the Itombwe Sector, Mwenga Territory, in South Kivu Province, positioned between Mikenke and Lundu. The attack by FARDC and its allied militias was met with strong resistance from Twirwaneho, which managed to push the attackers back. Reports suggest that the offensive aimed to displace or eliminate the Banyamulenge residents of the area.
During the battle, a senior FARDC officer with the rank of Captain was killed alongside several soldiers, including his personal guard. As Twirwaneho counterattacked, the government-allied forces were forced into retreat, fleeing through farmland in Nyarubira before reaching their base in Mikenke, from where they had originally launched the offensive.
As they retreated, the fleeing FARDC and allied fighters looted approximately 40 cows belonging to the Banyamulenge and fired artillery shells toward a nearby displacement camp near their military base in Mikenke.
Medical reports indicate that ten wounded FARDC soldiers arrived at Mikenke’s main hospital following the battle. Despite the intense conflict, the situation has now stabilized, with residents returning to their homes. A source reported, “Everything is calm now, and all residents have returned to their homes. So far, ten injured FARDC soldiers have been brought to Mikenke’s main hospital.”
However, tensions remain high. Wazalendo and FDLR forces have reinforced their presence in Mikenke, arriving from areas such as Gipupu and other parts of Mwenga and Fizi territories. Meanwhile, Twirwaneho forces remain nearby, maintaining a defensive stance. Both sides continue to be locked in a standoff, closely monitoring each other’s movements.
While the immediate battle has ended, the situation in Kalingi and surrounding areas remains fragile. The presence of armed groups on both sides suggests the potential for further clashes. The Banyamulenge community, caught in the crossfire, continues to face significant threats, highlighting the ongoing instability in South Kivu Province.
