The Itombwe Nature Reserve is an IUCN Category VI Protected Area. It is 5732 km² in size, and one of Africa's most important sites for biodiversity, especially in the Albertine Rift area (Doumenge & Schilter 1997; Hart et al. 1999, Plumptre et al. 2007; Greenbaum & Chifundera 2012). The Itombwe Nature Reserve is one of ten priority sites for biodiversity conservation in the Albertine Rift region, including: in Uganda Semliki National Park, Kibale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park; in Burundi Kibira National Park; in Rwanda Nyungwe National Park; in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Virunga National Park, Sarambwe Nature Reserve, and Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

To ensure long-term protection of its biodiversity, it is crucial to strengthen conservation efforts in this zone.

Security status and conservation

Security status in and around the reserve: the Itombwe Nature Reserve and neighbouring territories (Mwenga, Uvira, Fizi and Shabunda) are not yet occupied by the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) rebels. These areas remain under the control of the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC), the Wazalendo (patriots), and the Burundian military, all currently within the boundaries of the reserve on the side of the Bavira and Bafuliru chiefdoms (Uvira Territory).

For the rebels, the territories around the Itombwe Nature Reserve are very important due to their strategic positions, their natural resources, and access to Tanzania and other provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (e.g., Tanganyika, Katanga, Maniema). For these reasons, the AFC/M23 rebel forces are aiming to expand their control over these territories. To prevent the rebel forces from seizing these areas, various Wazalendo (patriot) groups have formed a coalition. Despite these efforts, on 11^th March 2025, rebels from the AFC/M23 by-passed the coalition groups and settled at the perimeter of the Itombwe Nature Reserve, in the Ulindi sector, next to Lake Lungwe, located in the multi-purpose zone.

In an attempt to dislodge the AFC/M23 rebels from the Itombwe Nature Reserve, the FARDC and the Wazalendo groups set up a cantonment in the Mulambozi sector at Kalundu patrol post, as a support base for operations, which they occupied for three days, from 12^th to 14^th of March 2025.

Currently several clashes are taking place between Wazalendo and FARDC and the AFC/M23 rebels in nearby territories, not bordering the Itombwe Nature Reserve (i.e., Kalehe, Kabare, Walungu). Clashes have also occurred between allies of the AFC/M23 (rebels from Rwanda: Twirwaneho forces, Rwandan Banyamulenge, and Burundi: RED Tabara) and the Wazalendo in the territories of FIZI (locality of Rugezi/Minembwe), Uvira (Chefferie de Bafuliru in the locality of Mulenga) and Mwenga in the Itombwe sector (locality of Kawera). These areas are located at distances of 30 to 80 km from the borders of the Itombwe Nature Reserve.

Itombwe Nature Reserve conservation

Despite the volatile security situation, Itombwe Nature Reserve has organised conservation monitoring patrols in the Mulambozi sector (in January 2025) and the Elila sector (in February and March 2025). Over a 39-day period, a total of five camping patrols and a one day patrol were conducted and covered an area of 322 km² (11.27 % of the coverage rate).

The presence of rebels and military operations near the Itombwe Nature Reserve has led to fear among the local communities near Mulambozi and the Kalundu guard post, especially after the park guards left for safer areas. The current security situation in the Itombwe Nature Reserve is now calmer, and AFC/M23 rebels have not yet advanced into our work areas.

However, during the occupation of the eco-guardsʼ post in Kalundu, the Itombwe Nature Reserve team had various items stolen by fleeing soldiers, including a motorbike, a 100-watt battery, a solar panel, a GPS, two 4-person tents, seven sleeping bags, three backpacks, two thermarest sleeping mats, seven torches, two tarpaulins, a digital camera and a patrol ration.

Our team is grateful for the following:

• they were able to return to the Kalundu patrol post after its liberation from FARDC soldiers and Wazalendo who were in transit;
• the re-occupation of the patrol post by the eco-guards;
• the resumption of activities in the reserve (organisation of surveillance patrols, conservation monitoring, sensitisation, …);
• the return of community members to their respective villages.

Difficulties

Following this war of the AFC/M23 several serious and traumatic consequences have been noted, namely:

• data collection equipment, camp equipment, rations were stolen;
• upon returning from patrols, eco-guards experienced psychological trauma/torture inflicted by FARDC soldiers fleeing from AFC/M23 rebels;
• local communities were harrassed by some Wazalendo;
• populations were displaced to Mwenga centre, with some people still not able to return to their homes;
• technical and financial partners' offices had to close; and
• Itombwe Nature Reserve conservation activities suffered a lack of support.

Suggestion for strengthening sustainable conservation in Itombwe

There have already been numerous conservation threats to Itombwe Nature Reserve, such as poaching, mining, logging, charcoal making, and deforestation. Now there are additional threats as a result of the AFC/M23 war and its consequences. For this reason, we are asking our technical and financial partners, as well as other donors, for their support to:

• organise biomonitoring activities of great apes (Gorilla beringei graueri and Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in Itombwe Nature Reserve,
• acquire new materials and equipment for data collection on site,
• strengthen resilience of neighbouring communities by promoting income generating activities as an alternative for the use of natural resources of Itombwe Nature Reserve.

In conclusion, the security situation in Itombwe Nature Reserve is improving due to several factors: relocation of armed groups out of the reserve, control of the Mwenga zone by the FARDC and the Wazalendo, and the involvement of neighbouring communities in the reserve's conservation efforts as a result of dialogue with local leaders and community patrols.

Séguin Caziga Bisuro and Claude Sikubwabo Kiyengo

References
Doumenge, C. & Schilter, C. (1997): Les Monts Itombwe. UICN, Kinshasa
Plumptre, A. J. et al. (2007): The biodiversity of the Albertine Rift. Biological Conservation 134, 178-194
Greenbaum, E. & Chifundera, K. Z. (2012): Conservation Implications Following the Rediscovery of Four Frog Species from the Itombwe Natural Reserve, Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Herpetological Review 43 (2), 253-259
Ilambu, O. et al. (1999): the Itombwe Massif, Democratic Republic of Congo: biological survey and conservation, with an emphasis on Grauer's gorilla and birds endemic to the Albertine Rift. Oryx 33 (4), 301-322