Lulenge

Lulenge constitutes one of the four sectors within the Fizi Territory of South Kivu Province, situated in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It spans an area of approximately 5,530 square kilometers, making it the second-largest sector in the territory after Ngandja. As of 2014, Lulenge had a population of 187,806, with its administrative center based in Kilembwe. The sector shares borders with several neighboring administrative units: Ngandja to the east, Wakabongo Chiefdom in Shabunda Territory to the west, Itombwe sector of Mwenga Territory to the north, Babuyu and Babangubangu Salamabila sectors of Kabambare Territory to the south and southwest, Mutambala and Tanganyika sectors to the northeast, and Wamuzimu Chiefdom of Mwenga Territory to the northwest.

Administratively, Lulenge is divided into five groupements: Basimimbi, Basimunyaka-Sud, Basikasingo, Basombo, and Obekulu. The sector is linguistically diverse, with Kibembe spoken by the majority of residents. Other languages spoken include Kibuyu, Kinyarwanda (among the Banyamulenge populations in Minembwe), as well as Kifuliiru and Kinyindu. Lulenge's economy is primarily based on agriculture and mining, with fishing from Lake Tanganyika also playing an important role. Agricultural cooperatives, such as the Coopérative Business Centre Olive (CBCO), are active in the area, cultivating crops including cassava, peanuts, beans, mushrooms, and rice. Small-scale enterprises are also well-developed in the area.

Since the First Congo War, Lulenge has been embroiled in persistent conflicts. The emergence of the Ngumino and Twirwaneho militias in November 2021 has exacerbated ethnic tension between Babembe and Banyamulenge populations. Verbal and physical attacks against the Babembe, Bafuliiru, and Banyamulenge have proliferated in Lulenge.