The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have accused the March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) rebels and the Twirwaneho and Red Tabara coalition of bombing Mwalu Hotel in Fizi-Centre, Fizi Territory, South Kivu Province, as fighting intensifies in the area.
According to residents, drone strikes hit the hotel at around 1:00 AM on Wednesday, injuring two people. The bombing also severely damaged the hotel.
Locals suspect that the attack may have targeted Major General Élie Ndizigiye, alias Muzinga, Deputy Commander of the Land Forces of the Burundi National Defence Force (FDNB), who is reportedly in Fizi Territory working alongside Brigadier General Fabien Dunia Kashindi, Commander of the FARDC’s 33rd Military Region.
The two military commanders are reportedly involved in preparations for an offensive against M23/AFC rebels and their allies in the area.
Second Lieutenant Reagan Mbuyi Kalonji, the military spokesperson for Operation Sukola in South Kivu, said on Wednesday afternoon that two bombs dropped by TB2-type drones directly struck the hotel, which was housing civilians. Kalonji confirmed that two civilians sustained serious injuries in the attack.
He strongly condemned what he described as a new attack on civilian infrastructure, calling it a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and commitments made under the Washington agreements.
Colonel Apoko Bangala Michel, Commander of Operational Sector Sukola 2 South Kivu, called for calm and assured residents that the FARDC remains committed to protecting civilians from threats allegedly posed by M23/AFC rebels and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
He added that an appropriate response would be taken against those responsible for the attacks.
The M23/AFC rebels had not, by Wednesday afternoon, issued a statement responding to the FARDC accusations.
However, on the same day, Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, the M23/AFC coordinator, issued a statement attributing the worsening Ebola crisis to what he described as the Kinshasa government’s failure to adequately respond to the health emergency.
Nangaa cited challenges in detecting and tracking patients, mistrust among some communities, insecurity in affected areas, attacks on health facilities and the vulnerability of healthcare workers.
He said the challenges were undermining efforts to contain Ebola and reflected what he described as a deeper crisis of governance, accountability and state legitimacy.
The renewed fighting comes after M23/AFC rebels reportedly announced plans to advance and capture strategic areas including Fizi, Baraka, Uvira and Kalemie, before potentially advancing toward Kolwezi and Lubumbashi.
The bombing of Mwalu Hotel comes at a time when representatives of the warring parties are engaged in peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland. The renewed clashes have raised fresh concerns over the progress of diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23/AFC, allegations that Kigali and the rebel movement have consistently denied.
M23/AFC maintains that its armed struggle is aimed at addressing what it describes as corruption, xenophobia and discrimination within the Congolese leadership.
Since early 2025, M23/AFC has intensified its offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, capturing several strategic towns and raising fears that the conflict could escalate into a broader regional crisis-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
