SUMMARY
The armed conflict between RMDC, also known as CNRD and the Groupe de Sécurité, a Nyatura faction led by Kasongo Kalamo, unfolded primarily in the Masisi and Rutshuru territories of Nord Kivu province in the DR Congo (Zaire). This confrontation, occurring throughout 2017, was marked by territorial competition, ethnic tensions, and disagreements over alliances and political goals.
The two groups had briefly allied, with RMDC—an offshoot of the FDLR (Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda)—and Groupe de Sécurité, part of the broader Nyatura movement (composed largely of Hutu combatants in the DR Congo), coordinating operations in early 2017. However, the alliance was fragile and deteriorated rapidly. In March 2017, tensions escalated after Kasongo Kalamo, the leader of Groupe de Sécurité, terminated the alliance. The split was rooted in two core issues. Firstly, over a row regarding taxation of local populations and resources, which had become a key source of revenue for both groups. Secondly, Kasongo’s perception of betrayal as he believed RMDC failed to live up to its commitment to return to Rwanda and instead allegedly sought contacts with returning ex-M23, a Tutsi dominated rebel group.
In response to these developments Groupe de Sécurité (Nyatura Kasongo) pushed RMDC north of the Mweso-Kashuga road in May 2017. The conflict intensified over the following months. In August 2017, RMDC fighters launched an attack on a Nyatura subgroup under Chief Ngwiti, which was part of Groupe de Sécurité, in the village of Muheto, Masisi territory. Ngwiti was killed in the fighting, further escalating hostilities. In October 2017, Groupe de Sécurité launched retaliatory strikes on RMDC positions. The conflict reached a critical point in December 2017, when RMDC forces assassinated Kasongo Kalamo in the town of Mweso, effectively decapitating the leadership of Groupe de Sécurité. This event triggered renewed clashes around Mweso, as remaining Nyatura elements loyal to Kasongo retaliated against RMDC fighters.
The non-state conflict between RMDC and Groupe de Sécurité (Nyatura Kasongo) is first included in UCDP data in 2017. Large-scale clashes for control of the village of Bweru in North Kivu province between the two groups at the end of April 2017 resulted in more than 25 battle-related deaths.
