Briefing note for HDP actors in Fizi (August 2025)

In the Fizi territory, the complexity and persistence of conflicts are fueled by intercommunal rivalries and fighting involving various armed groups. These conflicts, rooted in history and the economy, encompass issues of land ownership, disputes over traditional power, and intercommunal tensions. Indeed, intercommunal conflicts in the Fizi territory have for years pitted the Babembe, Bavira, Bafuliru, Balega, and Banyindu communities against the Banyamulenge community in the high and mid-altitude plateaus, respectively.
Conflicts in the Fizi territory also manifest as tensions between herders and farmers, which result in antagonism between communities, the destruction of crops and livestock, and can escalate into violence.
The presence of Mai-Mai militias, generally associated with community grievances, exacerbates insecurity and violence in this territory. These militias control several mining areas, particularly in the Ngandja sector, where they impose monthly taxes on miners. There are also conflicts related to access to and exploitation of minerals. In the Fizi territory, conflicts over minerals—particularly gold—are fueled by a combination of economic, security, and political factors. Mining is largely artisanal, often conducted without permits or legal oversight. Some members of the population believe there is no reason to ban this activity, even if it takes place in the informal sector.