At least five people were killed in two separate ambushes staged by Wazalendo militiamen against soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in Maniema Province between Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28, 2025.
The attacks occurred in the territories of Lubutu and Punia, where armed fighters reportedly opened fire on government troops before seizing military weapons.
Provincial Minister of Interior and Security, Lawamo Selemani Taylor, confirmed the incidents, saying both FARDC soldiers and Wazalendo combatants were among the dead.
According to Taylor, the Wazalendo militia claims the attacks were carried out in protest against the appointment of a new FARDC commander in the region.
He condemned the assaults, describing them as an act of “indiscipline” that has escalated tensions in the province.
“The management of the Wazalendo in Maniema has become a major source of concern. They are now attacking the security forces and provoking bloody conflicts, even though they are supposed to be partners of the army,” he lamented.
Taylor warned that continued friction between the militia and the national army could trigger further bloodshed if left unresolved.
He urged national authorities to intervene swiftly to restore order and clearly redefine the mandate of the Wazalendo, who were initially mobilized to support the FARDC but are now acting in open defiance.
The latest clashes add to a growing wave of insecurity in Maniema, where the Wazalendo have repeatedly been accused of violent abuses against civilians and security personnel.
