Sange in Mourning, FARDC Accused of Killing Civilians as Fighting Turns into Massacre
Reports continuing to emerge from the Rusizi plain in the Sange area located in Uvira Territory of South Kivu Province are causing deep concern and sorrow. It is alleged that FARDC forces killed many innocent civilians. The incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, 07/12/2025, when the situation deteriorated again after FARDC lost several key areas including Luvungi, Bwegera, and Lubirizi, all of which were captured by the AFC/M23 group.
After retreating, information indicates that the military command issued orders for soldiers to fight for that area at all costs. However, the situation took a tragic turn when disputes broke out among FARDC soldiers themselves, leading to exchanges of gunfire between them, followed by the firing of heavy artillery that landed on civilians.
Eyewitnesses reported that the shells fired into civilian areas killed many people—numbering over 40—while many others were seriously injured. In videos circulating on social media, bodies can be seen lying along the road leading into Sange Centre. In one of the videos, a resident is heard saying: “FARDC has killed people here in Sange. They fired a bomb that killed many people.”
Civilians were not the only victims; another FARDC shell reportedly landed on positions of Burundian troops, killing more than 10 soldiers, which further worsened tensions between the forces of the two countries.
Sange is located about 30 kilometers from the city of Uvira and is heavily populated by civilians from the Bafulero community, the ethnic group of MP Justin Bitakwira, who is often mentioned for engaging in hate speech against Tutsis and in ethnic tensions in eastern Congo.
These events come at a time when fighting in South Kivu continues to intensify, while innocent civilians keep falling victim to conflicts that do not concern them. The war between FARDC and AFC/M23 continues to have severe consequences on civilians’ lives, as human rights organizations call for an independent investigation into what happened in Sange so that the truth can be established and those responsible held accountable.