More Details on the Attack That Exposed FARDC’s Security Weaknesses and Claimed the Lives of Soldiers and Civilians
Security has once again deteriorated in Haut-Katanga Province following a fresh attack carried out by Maï-Maï armed fighters in Kyubo Mamba, located in Mitwaba Territory. The assault took place on Sunday morning between approximately 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., leaving eight people dead and several others injured by both gunfire and a fire that broke out during the attack.
According to information provided by the Kyubo Civil Society, the attackers launched a surprise assault on positions of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) before targeting infrastructure and civilians living in the area.
Civil society representatives in the locality confirmed that eight people have so far been identified among the dead. The victims include two FARDC soldiers and six civilians who were living within the military camp.
Among the civilian victims were the wife of one of the soldiers and five children, all of whom are believed to have died in the fire that erupted after the military position was set ablaze by the attackers.
In addition to those killed, two FARDC soldiers sustained gunshot wounds, while four women suffered severe burn injuries as a result of the fire.
A representative of the local Civil Society stated:
“Eight people were killed, including two FARDC soldiers and six civilians. Among the victims were the wife of a soldier and five children who lost their lives in the fire that engulfed the military camp.”
Following the attack, reports from Kyubo Mamba indicate that calm has gradually begun to return. Reinforcements have been deployed from Mitwaba Centre to strengthen security in the area.
FARDC has also launched patrol operations and search missions aimed at identifying the routes used by the Maï-Maï fighters before the attack, as well as tracking the areas where they are suspected to have retreated after leaving Kyubo Mamba.
Local residents say the soldiers stationed in the area expressed frustration after the attack, describing it as another incident that exposed persistent security vulnerabilities across several parts of Mitwaba Territory.
The attack has once again underscored the fragile security situation in Mitwaba Territory. The region consists largely of remote rural communities that are difficult for security forces to access, creating opportunities for armed groups, including Maï-Maï fighters, to operate.
Kyubo Mamba is located approximately 250 to 300 kilometers north of Lubumbashi, far from the province’s main administrative centers and major military installations. This considerable distance, combined with the challenging terrain, continues to hamper the rapid deployment of troops and emergency response whenever attacks occur.
Over the years, Mitwaba Territory has repeatedly been targeted by Maï-Maï armed groups, forcing many residents to live in constant fear and causing repeated displacement. Security analysts argue that lasting stability in the area will require strengthened intelligence operations, a sustained military presence, and the establishment of effective early-warning mechanisms to detect armed group activities before attacks occur.
The Kyubo Civil Society believes the repeated attacks demonstrate the urgent need for stronger measures to protect both civilians and soldiers deployed in remote areas.
Community representatives also warn that the families of soldiers living inside military camps remain just as vulnerable as the soldiers themselves. They have therefore called on the government to reinforce troop deployments, provide additional equipment, and strengthen preventive measures capable of stopping attacks before they take place.
Although a degree of calm has returned following the latest assault, residents of Mitwaba say they continue to live in fear of further attacks. They are urging the authorities to implement lasting and effective measures to restore peace and security throughout this part of Haut-Katanga Province.
