Twirwaneho
Rebel group in the Democratic Rebublic of Congo
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Twirwaneho (Translated as "Let's defend ourselves") is an armed group operating in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Twirwaneho is composed primarily of members of the Banyamulenge community, a Tutsi subgroup native to the South Kivu Province.[1]
M23| Twirwaneho | |
|---|---|
| Dates of operation | 2008 – Present |
| Headquarters | Mulenge, DRC |
| Part of | Congo River Alliance |
| Allies | RED-Tabara M23 |
| Opponents | Mai-Mai militias Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda Democratic Republic of the Congo United Nations MONUSCO |
| Battles and wars | |
Background
Twirwaneho, formed around 2008, as an armed group originating as a self-defense militia by members of the Banyamulenge community in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The name of the group means "Let's defend ourselves" in the Banyamulenge language.The group was created in response to ethnic violence, land disputes, and attacks by rival militias, particularly the Mai-Mai.[2]
History
Twirwaneho initially composed mostly of Banyamulenge youths who deployed whenever necessary to protect their cattle or houses from looting. The self-defence group started to fade in 2009 but reappeared in 2015 with a new leader in a response to resurfaced Mai-Mai attacks in South Kivu. Under the command of David Muhoza also known by the Nom de guerre "El Shabaab", the group shifted from self-defence force to a military force attacking opposing ethnic groups and Mai-Mai forces.[3]
By 2020 the group was led by Michael Rukunda who defected from the FARDC in 2020. The groups Leadership consist mainly from Banyamulenge who have deserted from the Congolese army (FARDC) to fight for their respective ethnic group.[4]
On 28 July, 2023 Twirwaneho was sanctioned by the European Council for human rights violations and sustaining the armed conflict in the DRC.[5] In July 2024 the deputy leader of Twirwaneho, Charles Sematama, was sanctioned by the United States due to accusations of human rights violations.[6]
In February, 2025 Twirwaneho joined the M23 movement after the death of Rukunda in a government drone attack.[7] In March 10, 2025 M23 rebels, in coordination with Twirwaneho, advanced southward from Nyangezi village, seizing several areas, including Lwanguku the capital of the Kaziba chiefdom.[8] In August 2025, M23 and Twirwaneho coordinated attacks around Uvira and Mwenga against Wazalendo and Mai-Mai militias, violating the ceasefire.[9]