Other major events The Western DR Congo clashes are a series of attacks by Mobondo militia on armed forces and Teke civilians which started in June 2022.

[1] The areas north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's capital of Kinshasa, most notably Batéké Plateau, have been historically underdeveloped and poor.

Over time, migrants belonging to ethnic groups of neighboring provinces like Kwilu and Kwango began to drift into traditional Teke territories, seeking land to set up farms.

Meanwhile, a fake letter by the Congolese Interior Ministry's chief of staff started to circulate, claiming that the customary taxes had been completely suspended, furthering the tensions.

[1] The violence started on 9 June 2022 in the village of Masia-Mbe, in the Bateke Sud sector of Mai Ndombe, where Yaka and Mbala farmers gathered to protest against the tax increase.

In retaliation, Yaka farmers returned in large numbers on the next day, stormed Masia Mbe, burnt the chief's house and looted the village.

In this context, the Mobondo militia was accused to trying to capture the Batéké Plateau due it being allegedly land of the "ancient Yaka kingdom of Lunda".

[6] The police issued search warrants on Odon Kiamvu and against five other suspects, including the individuals known as Cobra and Saddam, for their alleged leadership of Mobondo.