Fizi is a territory in the south of Sud-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, bordering the South Kivu territories of Uvira, Mwenga and Shabunda to the north, Lake Tanganyika or Tanzania in the east, and the provinces Tanganyika in the south and Maniema in the west.

Fizi
Wilaya ya Fizi
Alembe lembe
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 AdministratorM. Aimé kawaya
Area
 • Total41,745 km2 (16,118 sq mi)
Population
 • Total1,000,674
Time zoneUTC+2 (CAT)
National languageSwahili
ClimateAw

The predominant language in the territory is Bembe language (Ibembe) and Kiswahili.

Geography

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The Fizi territory is located in the south of the South Kivu province, on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, borderline with Tanzania's Kigoma Region.

Administrative division

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Collectivities within the Fizi territory include

Towns

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MONUSCO peacekeepers and a FARDC Navy sailor in a village of the Fizi Territory

The capital city (chef-lieu) of the Fizi territory is called Fizi Centre, but Baraka (bala'a) is considered the main town of the territory because of its semi-urbanized advancements. Baraka is composed of three municipalities (Baraka, Katanga and Kalundja). In 1892, it became the first entity in the urban model in the province of South Kivu.[1]

Some villages of Fizi are: Makobola, Kahama, Aseeci, Kwa Munene, Ilakala, Swema, Ake I, Ake II, Abeka, Mukwezi, Musenya, Atongo, Abûmbe, Ilela, Mgûle, Abondoki, 'wa Mboko, Lûûkyû, Mkangyaolo, 'wa Núndú, Bashiwaenge, Bashimweci, 'Yonwe, Zimbwe, Lusambo, Atûngulû, Atondo, Losenda, Lulinda, Elemyonga, Mkolwe, Bûkû, Bitobolo, Lûbûmba, Atete, Lweba, Andale, Ekwena, Abela, Alûnja, Lo'oe, Matongo, Mwemezi, Bomani (Baraka centre), Ebonjwa, Mwansombo, Mwambango, Mongemonge, Mwatembo, Akyûngwe, Akomba, Atanga. Upon reaching Atanga, there is a junction, at which turning left leads to Fizi and the open side of the Lake Tanganyika shore. Malinde is a junction village. Towns after turning left include Malinde, Mlongwe, Atalûkûlû, Isee, Sebele. There is another junction in Sebele village. The right road leads to Eonde and then Kazimia village. The left road heads to Nemba, Msombozi, Kisokwe, Manga, Rasi, Mizimu, Kalongwe, Dine, Ibwe la nyookye, Kahongo, Equateur, Bandundu, Bas Zaire, Lubomo, Lwambama, Mwayenga, Kalila, Bwenge, Lubilo, Hona, Mwajalûlû, Bûma, Alamba, Kilumû, Kazimia.

 
Bibokoboko - Locals meet MONUSCO troops from Pakistan in 2022

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 city of Fizi is Misèsè and Mkera

History

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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,[2] 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.[3] Provincial MP representative are: Alimasi Malumbe. Abungulu mateso. Shenila Mwanza. Malick job bumbu. Prince

National Member of parliament representing Fizi in Kinshasa are: Msambya Abwe Freddy. Ambatobe Nyongolo Ammy. Nehemie Wilondja Mwilanya.

 
The landscape of Fizi near Sebele (Foreground) with lake Tanganyika and the Ubwari peninsula seen in the background

Politics

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The Fizi territory is represented in the National Assembly by three deputies:

  • Amy Ambatobe Nyomholo P.P.R.DCongo)|
  • Msambya Abwe Fredy
  • Nehemy Wilondja Mwilanya

Notes and references

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