DRC Displacement Crisis Escalates as M23 Fires Continue
Violence from the M23 rebels in eastern DRC has pushed hundreds of thousands into Tanganyika’s Muganwa camp, where a recent fire has destroyed many shelters. The camp’s residents face water shortages, ongoing insecurity, and the threat of further attacks as the conflict drags on.
By Felo News Desk · Published
In the early hours of September 11, a blaze swept through the Muganwa camp outside Kalemie, a lakeside town in Tanganyika province. The fire, sparked by a charcoal stove, destroyed dozens of makeshift shelters made of sticks and palm leaves. Women and children scrambled to save what they could, while young men tore down neighboring huts to create a firebreak. The incident is the latest in a series of tragedies that underscore the dire situation for displaced civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
From Conflict to Camp: The Journey of Survivors
More than a year after the DRC and Rwanda signed a peace accord mediated by the United States, fighting between the Congolese army and the Rwanda‑backed March 23 Movement (M23) remains relentless. The rebels have seized large swaths of North and South Kivu, forcing civilians to flee in droves. Tanganyika province, which borders South Kivu, has become a refuge for those escaping the violence, yet the province itself has long endured ethnic clashes and militia attacks.
Furaha Kahisa, a mother of six, recounts her harrowing trek. “I left Minova when M23‑backed militias looted my village,” she says. After a brief stay in Goma, she and her children headed south, covering more than 250 miles on foot. The journey took nearly three weeks, during which they relied on the generosity of strangers for food and shelter. When she finally reached Muganwa camp, she found a single muddy stream as the only water source for hundreds of people.
Living in the Shadow of War
At Muganwa, the residents live in precarious conditions. Shelters are vulnerable to fire, especially during the dry season. The camp’s water supply is limited to a single stream that runs muddy and often dries up. Many families must fetch water from the stream, walking long distances each day. Food is scarce; some camp inhabitants find work on local farms or grow small plots to supplement their diets.
Jeanne Sikitu, who fled Uvira by boat during an M23 offensive, describes the ordeal: “We had nothing to eat on the journey, and the wind was very strong. It took a week of sailing.” Uvira, a lakeside town in South Kivu, was recaptured by government forces in January, but fighting continues in the nearby Fizi mountains. Since then, an estimated 100,000 displaced civilians have arrived in Tanganyika between November 2025 and February 2026.
Historical and Ongoing Conflicts in Tanganyika
Tanganyika has not been immune to violence. The Biloze Bishambuke militia has raided villages for over a decade, targeting ethnic groups and stealing cattle. In the province’s forests, a long‑standing conflict between the Twa and Luba communities has simmered since 2016. These tensions have compounded the challenges faced by refugees who arrive in camps already strained by previous wars.
Josephine Salima, a native of Tanganyika, fled her village of Matete after Biloze Bishambuke attacks. “They beat my pregnant daughter,” she says. She now lives in Muganwa camp, sharing the same shelter as Kahisa. The camp’s residents, though separated by recent origins, have found common ground in their shared suffering and resilience.
Community Leadership and Hope
Rose Mukalay, a 55‑year‑old farmer, was elected president of the Mulicha displacement camp after arriving by boat in February 2025. She works to negotiate access to local schools for displaced children and to generate income for the community. Mukalay explains, “We cannot help ourselves if we have nothing. So we are sharing the work of harvesting palm oil and planting our own fields.” Her leadership reflects a broader trend of community organization among displaced populations.
Despite these efforts, many children in the camps still lack access to education. The ongoing insecurity and limited resources make it difficult for authorities to establish schools or provide consistent schooling. The situation remains precarious as M23 continues to hold territory in the region.
What Comes Next?
With the M23 still active in North and South Kivu, the displacement crisis in Tanganyika is unlikely to ease soon. The international community’s focus remains on delivering humanitarian aid, but the camp’s infrastructure—water, shelter, and security—needs urgent attention. The DRC government and regional partners must address the root causes of the conflict to prevent further waves of displacement.
Until a lasting peace is achieved, residents of Muganwa and Mulicha camps will continue to navigate a landscape of uncertainty, hoping for relief and a chance to rebuild their lives.
Key facts
- M23 rebels continue to hold large areas of North and South Kivu, driving civilians into Tanganyika camps.
- A fire in September 11 destroyed dozens of shelters at Muganwa camp, exposing the fragility of displaced housing.
- Water scarcity and limited infrastructure leave camp residents vulnerable to disease and starvation.
- Community leaders like Rose Mukalay are organizing to secure education and income for displaced children.
- Historical ethnic conflicts in Tanganyika compound the challenges faced by new arrivals.
- International aid remains critical as the conflict persists and more people flee.”
- faq
- :
Why it matters
The ongoing displacement in Tanganyika highlights the persistent instability in eastern DRC and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and conflict resolution.
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “‘We have nothing’: DRC displacement crisis worsens as fighting continues”
