New fighting has broken out between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Wazalendo militia, a coalition of pro-government armed groups, in Maniema Province, reigniting concerns over growing instability in central and eastern DRC.
According to local administrative sources, the clashes occurred on October 14, 2025, in Nyanga village, located within the Punia sector of the Punia territory. Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire for more than an hour as the two sides exchanged bullets, forcing many civilians to take cover inside their homes.
Punia’s territorial administrator, Ndarabu Abedi, confirmed the incident, noting that the confrontation was between FARDC troops and a faction of the Wazalendo militia led by an individual identifying himself as Colonel Serpent. “FARDC and Wazalendo frequently clash in Punia. Today’s confrontation was intense and started during the day,” said Ndarabu.
The administrator added that tensions between the two groups have persisted for months, often erupting over control of strategic areas and local resources. He recalled that a similar confrontation occurred in September, when several fighters were reportedly killed in Punia after government forces dismantled a checkpoint set up by Wazalendo combatants.
This is not the first time Punia has witnessed such violence. In August 2024, a major battle broke out in the city of Kindu between FARDC and Wazalendo elements led by Amani Useni Josué, also known by his alias “Saddam.” That incident left nine people dead and dozens injured, marking one of the deadliest internal confrontations between the two pro-government factions.
The Wazalendo coalition, initially formed as a civilian self-defense movement to support FARDC against the M23 rebellion and other armed groups in eastern Congo, has increasingly become fragmented and difficult for state forces to control. Internal rivalries, competition over resources, and power struggles between local commanders have led to sporadic fighting among supposed allies.
Security experts warn that the situation in Maniema and neighboring provinces highlights the fragile nature of the alliance between the Congolese army and the militias it once supported. As FARDC seeks to restore discipline and central command across its operations, incidents like the one in Punia reveal deep divisions within the country’s broader security framework.
Meanwhile, humanitarian groups have expressed concern about the impact of such clashes on civilians, many of whom remain trapped between opposing forces. Aid workers in the region say displacement and fear are growing, as renewed insecurity threatens to reverse recent gains in stabilization efforts across the DRC’s heartland.
Local authorities have urged calm and called for dialogue to prevent further bloodshed, though residents remain apprehensive as both FARDC and Wazalendo continue to fortify their positions in and around Punia.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
