As MRDP-Twirwaneho Maintains Battlefield Momentum, Kinshasa Accelerates Construction of a Strategic Military Road to Gitumba
Reliable information obtained by Minembwe Capital News from the Mugera area, near the town of Baraka in Fizi Territory, South Kivu Province, indicates that the Congolese government is accelerating the construction of an earth road linking Baraka to Safyeko before extending to the Gitumba area, south of Minembwe Centre.
According to a local resident familiar with the project, approximately 200 Chinese workers are involved in the road’s construction. The resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, stated that the primary objective of the project is to facilitate the movement of military equipment and troops belonging to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and their allied forces.
He said:
“I know what I am talking about because I live here. Military vehicles are now transporting equipment from Uvira, Baraka, and Kalemie to Gitumba. Motorcycles are also being used to carry additional military supplies. Although the road is already operational, the Chinese workers are continuing to improve and widen it.”
The source further explained that the road passes through Milimba, continues to Safyeko in Tanganyika Province, and extends to the Gatatu area of Gitumba.
According to the same source, FARDC and Burundian forces are actively using the road to transport heavy weapons, ammunition, and other military equipment. He noted that, until recently, the journey from Gitumba to Baraka required more than two days on foot. However, the newly constructed road has significantly reduced travel time.
He added:
“People now leave Gitumba by motorcycle in the morning and arrive in Baraka by midday. Previously, the same journey required more than two days of walking, but the situation has changed dramatically.”
These developments come as military operations continue to intensify in the Minembwe highlands, where the MRDP-Twirwaneho armed movement says it is fighting to protect the Banyamulenge civilian population. The group claims to have pushed back FARDC and its allied forces—including Burundian troops, Wazalendo militias, the FDLR, and P5—in several areas, including Kalingi, Bidegu, Kalongi, Gakenke, Gitavi, Mikenke, Point Zéro, Bilalombili, Rubemba, Bicumbi, and other surrounding localities.
Security analysts monitoring the situation believe that the construction of this road could significantly enhance the Congolese government’s logistical capacity by improving the delivery of military personnel and supplies to frontline positions, particularly in the southern sector of Minembwe.