Heavy gunfire and multiple explosions were reported overnight in the city of Baraka, one of the major urban centres in Fizi Territory, South Kivu Province, according to residents who spoke to UkweliTimes. The incident occurred between Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday, December 7, 2025.

According to sources on the ground, the gunfire began at around 11:30 p.m. on December 6 and continued until approximately 1:00 a.m. Witnesses say the disturbances were linked to Wazalendo fighters who had reached the outskirts of Baraka after fleeing battles in the Rusizi Valley in Uvira Territory.

A resident who spoke to UkweliTimes on condition of anonymity said:

“These Wazalendo fighters escaped the fighting in the Rusizi Valley. They arrived near Baraka at night, led by two commanders, and immediately started firing several rounds.”

Local accounts indicate the fighters were frustrated and angered by what they described as abandonment on the battlefield by the FARDC and Burundian troops. This alleged fallout, according to community sources, contributed to the rapid territorial gains made by AFC/M23 in recent days. On Saturday, AFC/M23 reportedly seized several key localities, including Luvungi, Mutarure, Bwegera, and other areas across the Rusizi Valley.

Fear and displacement spread quickly across the region. In Uvira, many residents fled toward safer areas, with a large number reportedly crossing into Burundi’s capital Bujumbura. Meanwhile, residents of Baraka sought refuge across the border in Tanzania as the situation escalated.

As of Sunday morning, security authorities in Fizi and Uvira had not issued any official statement regarding the nighttime unrest. Local communities, however, remain deeply anxious about what these developments mean for their security and stability in the days ahead.

Gunfire Rocks Baraka Overnight as Wazalendo Fighters Arrive After Rusizi Valley Clashes