According to André Byadunia, a civil society leader in Uvira, the dead included one FARDC soldier and  two civilians  while another Wazalendo member was injured during the fighting.

Clashes between the two forces have become frequent, despite both claiming to operate jointly to safeguard the sovereignty and independence of the DRC and to combat the M23 rebel group.

Meanwhile, the M23 has stepped up its activities in the region. On 21 September 2025, the group captured the town of Nzibira in Walungu territory, North Kivu, after intense fighting with FARDC and Wazalendo forces, despite FARDC deploying warplanes.

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Speaking at a public meeting outside La Trinité Hotel, Brigadier General Bernard Byamungu, deputy commander of AFC/M23, said the operations were aimed at protecting civilians. He accused Kinshasa of refusing to stop the war and said M23 forces had seized bombs allegedly used on civilians.

Byamungu warned that M23 has the capacity to reach Kinshasa if dialogue efforts continue to fail. Analysts say the group may continue advancing toward other areas, including Uvira, Mwenga and Kisangani, raising serious concerns over security in territories currently controlled by FARDC and Wazalendo.

Observers caution that ongoing divisions between FARDC and Wazalendo could further weaken their ability to repel M23 advances.