Reports emerging from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo indicate that Lieutenant Colonel Athanase Minani, commander of the 8th battalion of the Burundian army deployed in the region, was killed during intense combat with fighters from the AFC/M23 rebel movement. The information began circulating on the evening of December 5, 2025, amid heavy clashes that have rocked parts of South Kivu for several consecutive days.
According to multiple local sources, Lt Col Minani was fatally shot in the Luvungi area during a fierce exchange of fire. The same reports claim that three of his close security aides were also killed in the incident, underscoring the intensity of the fighting that engulfed the area. If confirmed, Minani would be the highest-ranking Burundian military officer reported killed since the recent escalation of hostilities in eastern DR Congo.
Burundian troops are currently operating alongside the Congolese national army, FARDC, as part of joint military operations aimed at dismantling AFC/M23 positions in South Kivu. These deployments form part of a broader regional security effort that has seen neighboring countries increase their military footprint in the volatile eastern provinces of DR Congo, where armed groups continue to challenge state authority.
Lieutenant Colonel Minani was a senior officer with a long military background, having previously served in the former Burundian Armed Forces before rising through the ranks of the Burundian National Defence Forces. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in July 2025, only months before his reported death. His role as battalion commander placed him at the center of frontline operations, coordinating combat missions in some of the most contested areas near the Burundi–DR Congo border.
One of the first public figures to acknowledge the reported killing was Pacifique Nininahazwe, a prominent Burundian human rights activist and the head of the Forum for Conscience and Development (FOCODE). In a statement shared on his X account, Nininahazwe reported that Lt Col Minani, identified by service number SS1564, had been killed during overnight clashes. He described the incident as a significant loss for the Burundian Defence Forces, highlighting its seriousness within Burundi’s military establishment.
However, as of now, neither the Burundian army nor the leadership of AFC/M23 has issued an official confirmation. This lack of formal acknowledgment has left room for uncertainty, a common feature in conflicts where information is tightly controlled and often politicized. Military sources suggest that official statements may be delayed due to ongoing operations and security considerations.
The reported killing occurred amid a renewed wave of violence that reignited in early December. FARDC, Burundian forces, and the Wazalendo militia coalition launched coordinated offensives against AFC/M23 strongholds in areas including Kamanyola, Katogota, and Luvungi. These operations were intended to weaken rebel control and restore government authority, but they instead triggered some of the most intense fighting seen in months.
Sources familiar with the situation say AFC/M23 forces received advance intelligence about the planned offensive. In response, the group reportedly launched pre-emptive attacks that destabilized government troop positions, forcing FARDC and allied forces into prolonged firefights. The confrontations quickly escalated, drawing in heavy weapons and artillery on both sides.
On December 2, residents reported heavy shelling in Kamanyola, where AFC/M23 artillery allegedly disrupted troop formations belonging to FARDC and its allies. Government forces responded with their own bombardments, striking areas under rebel control. The exchange resulted in widespread destruction, with homes and public buildings damaged or destroyed.
At least three civilians were reportedly killed during the shelling, while several others sustained injuries. Local health facilities, already struggling with limited resources, were overwhelmed as fighting continued. Humanitarian actors warn that the true number of civilian casualties may be higher, given the difficulty of accessing conflict zones.
The violence has triggered mass displacement across Luvungi and surrounding villages. Thousands of residents fled their homes, seeking safety in locations such as Sange, Runingu, Ndolera, and the city of Uvira. Eyewitnesses describe scenes of panic as families escaped under bombardment, leaving behind belongings, livestock, and livelihoods.
Accounts from civilians indicate that schools, churches, and local markets were struck during the fighting. Videos shared online show collapsed houses and damaged infrastructure, though independent verification remains challenging due to restricted access and ongoing insecurity. The images have fueled widespread concern about the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
Bertrand Bisimwa, the political deputy leader of AFC/M23, accused Burundian forces positioned near the border of firing heavy artillery into Congolese territory. He claimed that these attacks caused civilian casualties and extensive destruction, labeling them “indiscriminate strikes” against populated areas. Such accusations have further complicated an already tense and politically sensitive situation.
The renewed hostilities are particularly striking given their timing. On December 4, 2025, just one day before reports of Minani’s death surfaced, the governments of Rwanda and DR Congo signed a new peace agreement aimed at reducing tensions and promoting stability in the region. AFC/M23 swiftly dismissed the agreement, stating that it did not address the group’s demands and therefore did not concern them.
The rebel movement maintains that any lasting solution must involve direct dialogue addressing its political and security grievances. Without such engagement, AFC/M23 insists that military agreements between states will fail to bring peace to eastern DR Congo.
Against this backdrop, the reported death of Lieutenant Colonel Athanase Minani carries significant implications. It highlights the deepening involvement of regional forces in the conflict and the growing risks faced by foreign troops operating on Congolese soil. For Burundi, the loss of a senior officer could influence both military strategy and domestic perceptions of the intervention.
More broadly, the incident underscores the high human cost of the expanding conflict in eastern DR Congo. As regional armies, militias, and rebel groups clash, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence. The situation raises urgent questions about the future of military operations, the effectiveness of regional peace efforts, and the fate of thousands of people trapped in a war that shows little sign of slowing down.so rest in peace
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