Rugezi is an area in the Minembwe commune, located at its southern most end in the southwestern part of this commune.
Around midday on this Tuesday, fighters from the Twirwaneho group and M23 took control of this area after intense fighting with the coalition of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), the Burundian forces (FDNB), and armed groups Wazalendo and FDLR.
It is well known that this part of Rugezi was a strong hold for FDLR and Wazalendo fighters led by Colonel Ngomanzito, along with other affiliated groups.
This Rugezi has now been liberated from these two military groups that are part of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), known for being rich in natural resources, especially precious stones primarily including gold and other types.
These precious stones are usually mined in up to 7 areas within this Rugezi region, particularly in the Rudabadaba and Micikacika areas.
They are also found in the areas of Bwishoshi, Bengeziza, Gahira, Bikarakara, and Bahati-yaimbwa.
In addition to that, Rugezi, which is in close proximity to the large Bovu area located in Gitumba, is known to be very rich in precious stones, including diamonds, coltan, copper, and others.
Furthermore, before the wars of recent years, specifically from 2017 to 2021, many Banyamulenge were still living there, and it included two localities, one led by Chief Sabune while the other was led by Budamu.
The neighborhoods that made up this area were counted as 10, with Sabune being the one where the Post and the main hospital built by Ugeafi were located, known to have had 12 families.
There was also a neighborhood of Didas, Budamu, Abadinzi, Bavusha, Bagorora, Timbyangoma, and Nyamurombwe.
Additionally, the neighborhoods of Gakangala and Muliza were counted among those localities that were in Rugezi, although these neighborhoods were very close to the center of the Minembwe commune.
Moreover, it is reported that Twirwaneho and M23, after liberating this area of Rugezi, their fighters continued to chase away the Congolese army, and they are pushing them towards Milimba, known as a stronghold of FDLR and Wazalendo.
If M23 and Twirwaneho manage to take Milimba, it would immediately be considered that Wazalendo has become totally defeated, as it is known that this area is the stronghold of these groups fighting against the Banyamulenge.
