Fighters from Wazalendo militias, known for collaborating with the Congolese army alliance in the fight against the M23 rebel group, turned their weapons on each other on Friday, May 16, resulting in at least two deaths.
The fighting occurred early Friday morning between factions from South Kivu and North Kivu, in a shared zone within Fizi Territory in South Kivu Province.
The clashes reportedly broke out in Malicha/Simbi, just a few kilometers from Baraka, the largest town in Fizi Territory.
Sources from the area say the shootout—linked to the Yakutumba faction—led to the deaths of two Wazalendo fighters, with several others injured.
This is not the first time internal divisions have erupted within the Wazalendo coalition in regions like Fizi and Uvira. Two months ago, tensions between fighters loyal to Hamuri Yakutumba and those loyal to Ebwira Mutetezi Trésor also led to deadly consequences, with Trésor being killed.
In Uvira, infighting remains frequent, with ongoing rivalries between factions led by Gashumba, Makanaki John, and Rene.
