The Wazalendo alliance, supported by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is mourning the loss of parts of South Kivu province, including the city of Uvira, from the AFC/M23.
One of the Wazalendo fighters, Faustin Baraka Nzangande, announced that he had fled to the Itombwe highland forest, some of his comrades went to Burundi through the Kavimvira border, and others went to the town of Kindu in Maniema.
In an interview on the Agasaro Kaburaga channel, on December 9, 2025, Nzangande explained that he and his comrades left the city of Uvira before the AFC/M23 arrived on the evening of December 9, 2025, because the final battle took place in the Kavimvira center.
He said, “The fighting this evening was taking place in Kavimvira, near the town of Uvira. In the hours we are talking, we have already left Uvira, and have climbed into the highlands of Uvira in the Itombwe forest. Our comrades crossed the Kavimvira border towards Burundi, while others headed towards Kindu, leaving the town where the enemy is located before it enters.”
Nzangande said that the fighting that began at the beginning of last week has made it difficult for Wazalendo because the DRC army has been slow to deliver aid, including food and ammunition, which has discouraged them, and many have fled to the Itombwe forest.
“After that, there was air support from the M23 rebels. Before they continued on the ground, they first used combat drones to bomb us. For a young Zalendo who does not have much military experience, shooting drones at him is unusual,” he said.
He said that the DRC army had also discouraged Wazalendo because as the fighting continued, they began shooting at civilians, instead of fighting the AFC/M23 fighters.
Nzangande said that among those who fled to the Itombwe forest were Burundian soldiers, and that they intended to meet with their comrades in the Mitumba mountain range, to see if they would attack the AFC/M23 in the Rusizi valley.
Wazalendo confirmed that he had weapons abandoned by the DRC army but that he was not sure if he would find ammunition to use. Nzagande explained, “We have the weapons, perhaps the problem is the ammunition.”
On December 10, AFC/M23 announced that it was taking control of the city of Uvira. Its fighters were seen in various areas, including the office of the interim Governor of South Kivu, who was appointed by the DRC government, and the office of the mayor of the city.
