Jump to content

Fizi Territory

Coordinates: 4°18′4″S 28°56′39″E / 4.30111°S 28.94417°E / -4.30111; 28.94417
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fizi
Wilaya ya Fizi
Alembe lembe
Territory
Fizi Territory, South Kivu
Fizi Territory, South Kivu
Map
Map
Fizi territory within South Kivu
Fizi is located in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Fizi
Fizi
Location in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Coordinates: 4°18′4″S 28°56′39″E / 4.30111°S 28.94417°E / -4.30111; 28.94417
Country Democratic Republic of the Congo
ProvinceSud-Kivu
Government
 • Territory AdministratorSamy Kalonji[1]
Area
 • Total
15,786 km2 (6,095 sq mi)
Population
 • Total
1,793,422
Time zoneUTC+2 (CAT)
National languageSwahili
ClimateAw
See More

Fizi is a territory located in the southern part of South Kivu Province, in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It spans an area of approximately 15,786 square kilometers and shares borders with Uvira Territory to the north, Mwenga and Shabunda territories to the west, Kalemie Territory of Tanganyika Province to the south, and Lake Tanganyika to the east, beyond the Ubwari Peninsula.[2]

The territory is predominantly inhabited by the Bembe people, although it is characterized by considerable ethnocultural diversity.[3] Smaller ethnic communities such as the Babuyu, Babwari, and Bazoba also reside in various villages throughout the territory.[3] Administratively, Fizi Territory is subdivided into four sectors: Lulenge, Mutambala, Ngandja, and Tanganyika.[2][4] Its economy is primarily driven by agriculture, fishing, livestock farming, and artisanal mineral extraction.[5]

Geography

[edit]

Terrain and climate

[edit]

Fizi Territory landscape is dominated by mountainous terrain and a coastal plain along the eastern edge bordering Lake Tanganyika. It is crossed from north to south by the Mitumba Mountains, which form part of the western branch of the East African Rift system.[4] The territory lies within the Albertine Rift, a sub-region of the Great Rift Valley.[4] To the northwest, the terrain rises into the Itombwe Plateau, with elevations exceeding 1,700 meters above sea level.[4]

Major rivers and their corresponding sectors

Lulenge Mutambala Ngandja Tanganyika Ref.
Mayi-Moto Mutambala Kilombwe Lubumba [4]
Malonge Misha Nemba Lweba [4]
Kalumya Katenga Kasandjala Lusenda [4]
Kabi Kivundje Mocha Sandja [4]
Lulenge Mukera Kilitcha Kabumbe [4]
Kama Lubilu Kabandja Ngovi [4]
Kabunga Luke Namatungulu Mukunga [4]
Lubongo Lwindi Butungu Lusuku [4]
Ikandja Kanguti Nakatete Kakenge [4]
Luhemba Bengechiba Mwenya Acobwe [4]
Kichinja Lokela Butungu Kabengwa [4]
Kawela Ambulu Ichuku Kalungasandje [4]
Kamabila kichula Muchobwe Kabembwo [4]
Ilambo Tulembo Lubichako Kabondozi [4]
Kakungwe Kibila Kimbi - [4]
Elecha - Lwuko - [4]
Matenganya - - - [4]
Kalicha - - - [4]

The territory experiences varied climatic conditions influenced by altitude. The low-lying coastal plains are generally hot, with average temperatures around 35°C, while the middle and high plateaus are significantly cooler, averaging 24°C.[4] Altitude in the territory ranges from approximately 750 meters near the lakeshore to 1,300 meters and up to 1,700 meters inland toward the highlands.[4]

Administrative division

[edit]
A panoramic view of Fizi Territory near Sebele in the foreground, with the expansive Lake Tanganyika and the Ubwari Peninsula visible in the background.

Administratively, Fizi Territory was established under the Belgian colonial ordinance-law of 8 August 1935.[5] The original administrative center was located in Kalembelembwe before being relocated to a settlement named Fishi—a name derived from the Kibembe language, later modified by colonial authorities to Fizi. The territory takes its name from this administrative center.[5]

Fizi Territory is subdivided into four sectors: Lulenge, Mutambala, Ngandja, and Tanganyika. These are further divided into 18 groupements (groupings) and 132 localités (villages).[5] The territory serves as an administrative unit responsible for the coordination, supervision, and support of state and provincial functions. Governance at the territorial level is overseen by a Territorial Administrator, who is supported by two Assistant Territorial Administrators.[6] These officials are appointed by the President of the Republic upon recommendation from the Minister responsible for internal affairs, following proposals by the Provincial Governor.[6] The Territorial Administrator acts as the representative of both the State and the Province, ensuring the operation of public services within the jurisdiction. Additionally, the Territorial Administrator and their assistants hold the status of judicial police officers with general jurisdiction and are empowered to requisition state services when required for the public interest.[6] Regular administrative reports are submitted to the Provincial Governor and forwarded to the national Ministry of Internal Affairs.[6]

Administrative subdivisions

Sectors Groupements Villages Populations Basic activities Ref.
Lulenge Basimimbi 6 Agriculture [5]
Basimunyaka-Sud 5 Agriculture [5]
Basikasingo 4 Agriculture [5]
Basombo 5 [5]
Obekulu 3 [5]
Total 5 23 99,111,700 [5]
Mutambala Basimukindji 19 Fishing and breeding [5]
Balala-Sud 7 Agriculture [5]
Basimukuma-Sud 17 Agriculture [5]
Botombwe 5 Agriculture and fishing [5]
Babwari 16 Fishing [5]
Total 5 64 316,842 [5]
Ngandja Basikalangwa 11 Agriculture [5]
Basikasilu 5 Mine [5]
Babungwe 7 Agriculture and Mining [5]
Total 3 23 18,072 [5]
Tanganyika Babungwe-Nord 4 Agriculture [5]
Balala-Nord 6 Agriculture [5]
Basilocha 4 Agriculture [5]
Basimukuma-Nord 4 Agriculture [5]
[5]
Total 5 22 304,391 [5]
Grand total 18 132 1,793,422 [5]
MONUSCO peacekeepers and a FARDC Navy sailor in a village of the Fizi Territory

There is no road access between Nemba to Kazimia; people use boats for transportation because most villages are built on shore and between mountains. Kazimia, Abumbwe, Nguma, Ekyoci, Lûandaki, Atuma, Ebamba, Ehingeci, Asaba, Msamba, Yungu, Esanu, Sele, Akone, Mkongwe, Mande, Talama and the river Alela is the border of Fizi and Shaba or Sud-Kivu province and Shaba Province. If you jump the mountains of Fizi, you will find several villages there: Maganja, Bibokoboko, Minembwe, Kanguli, Wangulube, Mkera. The main mining cities of Fizi are Misèsè and Mkera.

History

[edit]

The region has a long history of independence from Kinshasa. It was the location of the maquis set up by Laurent-Désiré Kabila in 1967,[7] as well as the place where Laurent-Désiré Kabila raised his son, the former president Joseph Kabila, in 1973. Throughout much of the Second Congo War, the town was contested by numerous armed groups.[8]

Politics

[edit]

Fizi territory is represented in the 2024-29 National Assembly by four deputies:[9]

  • Théophile Basoshi Iubwe (A/A-UNC)
  • Janvier Msenyibwa Apele (2A/TDC), replacing Jean-Jacques Myewa Elakano
  • Obedi Nyamangyoku Ishibwela (AFDC-A)
  • Th Tchakubuta Mufaume (AAAP)

Notes and references

[edit]
  1. ^ "Reprise du trafic dans l'axe Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka et Fizi grâce aux FARDC". Radio Okapi (in French). 12 February 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b M'mangwa, Maluxes Malumbe (2007). "Les ASBL et la problématique de développement socioéconomique du territoire de Fizi en RDC" [Non-profit organizations and the socio-economic development issues of the Fizi region in the DRC] (in French). Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Institut Supérieur de Développement Rural de Bukavu (ISDR-Bukavu). Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b M'mangwa, Maluxes Malumbe (2007). "Les ASBL et la problématique de développement socioéconomique du territoire de Fizi en RDC" [Non-profit organizations and the socio-economic development issues of the Fizi region in the DRC] (in French). Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Institut Supérieur de Développement Rural de Bukavu (ISDR-Bukavu). Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Kitungano, Jean-Luc Malango (2002). "L'administration publique locale face à la sécurité des personnes et de leurs biens dans la province du Sud Kivu" [Local public administration and the security of people and their property in the province of South Kivu] (in French). Kisangani, Tshopo, Democratic Republic of the Congo: University of Kisangani. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Demafe, Assumani Christ (2018). "Goupes armés et mobilisation politique à Fizi" [Armed groups and political mobilization in Fizi] (in French). Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Université Officielle de Bukavu. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d "Loi organique n° 10/011 du 18 mai 2010 portant fixation des subdivisions territoriales à l'intérieur des provinces" [Organic Law No. 10/011 of 18 May 2010 establishing territorial subdivisions within the provinces]. Leganet.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  7. ^ "Anatomy & History of the Zaire-Congo Crises" Archived 2007-10-10 at the Wayback Machine by Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, usafricaonline.com, 19 November 1996
  8. ^ "Background Brief on the Current Situation in Kivu" Archived 2007-08-06 at the Wayback Machine, IRIN, 10 September 1997 (hosted by africaaction.org); "Thousands of civilians victims of atrocities in the DRC" Archived 2006-08-31 at the Wayback Machine, Amnesty International, 23 November 1998; and "DR Congo: Complex Emergency Situation Report #4 (FY 2004)" Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, United States Agency for International Development, 20 August 2004 (hosted by reliefweb.int)
  9. ^ "Liste des députés 2024–2028: Fizi". Talatala (in French). Congo Research Group and Ebuteli. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
[edit]

4°18′4″S 28°56′39″E / 4.30111°S 28.94417°E / -4.30111; 28.94417

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fizi_Territory&oldid=1291468374"