Last week, a coalition of the DRC armed forces, Burundian troops, the FDLR group, and Wazalendo militias launched coordinated attacks in the outskirts of Minembwe. The operations were aimed at capturing the area, which has been under the control of the MRDP-Twirwaneho group for nearly a decade.
On June 18, 2026, the spokesperson for the DRC armed forces in South Kivu Province, Lt. Reagan Mbuyi Kalonji, announced that government forces had taken control of Minembwe. However, both the military and civilian leadership of Twirwaneho rejected the claim, saying the area remained under their control.
Dr. Freddy Kaniki, president of MRDP-Twirwaneho and deputy head of AFC/M23 in charge of economy and finance, said the government coalition would not succeed in capturing Minembwe.
According to MRDP-Twirwaneho, its fighters, supported by AFC/M23 forces using combat drones, repelled advancing government troops and regained control of several positions near Minembwe.
AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said that following the reported defeat of government forces in Minembwe, troops carried out attacks against civilians in Bidegu, Gakenke, and Mikenke beginning on the night of June 22, allegedly using drones.
Kanyuka stated that the attacks were widespread and repeated, resulting in civilian deaths, multiple injuries, and the displacement of thousands of residents.
AFC/M23 further stated that it would continue what it described as efforts to protect civilians as long as the attacks persist.
