FARDC Retakes Four Uvira Highlands Villages, Discovers Mass Grave at Masango

FARDC's Sukola 2 South-South Kivu sector announced Sept 1 that a joint offensive with Burundian troops (FDNB) and Wazalendo militias against the RDF/M23-Twirwaneho/Red Tabara coalition had retaken Malimba, Masango, Ruhua (Ruhuha) and Rubarati in the Hauts-Plateaux (highlands) of Uvira territory, South Kivu, with remnants retreating toward Kashongo and Magunda. Spokesman Sub-Lt. Reagan Mbuyi Kalonji said 15 rebels were killed and 6 surrendered in the Uvira sector, plus 8 killed and 5 surrendered in a parallel Fizi-highlands push that retook Kamimbi, Nagishashu and Irumba — 23 killed and 11 surrendered combined, with several weapons recovered. FARDC said it discovered a mass grave at Masango containing the remains of civilians allegedly killed during the area's occupation by Twirwaneho, Red Tabara and Rwanda-backed M23 forces; the claim has not been independently verified. The gains follow days of fighting across Malimba, Rubarati and Ruhuha reported from Aug 31.