Clashes Intensify at Point Zéro in Mwenga, Opening New Front as Fighting Spreads Into Fizi Highlands

Armed clashes intensified from the morning of Sept 19, 2026 at Point Zéro in Mwenga territory, South Kivu, pitting a FARDC-Wazalendo coalition backed by Burundian forces (FDNB) against an AFC/Red Tabara-Twirwaneho coalition. Fighting spread into neighboring Fizi territory, reaching the villages of Natulonge, Kabindo, Biziba and Irumba, according to local sources and civil society structures. The violence forced civilians to flee their homes and disrupted agricultural and commercial activity across the highlands and plateaus of Fizi, Uvira and Itombwe — a new front opening even as government forces consolidated gains in the Masisi-Walikale-Kalehe corridor further north. No casualty toll was available and none of the armed actors issued a public statement.