South Kivu
South Kivu is one of 26 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its capital is Bukavu. Located within the East African Rift's western branch Albertine Rift, it is bordered to the east by Lake Kivu, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania; to the west by Maniema Province; to the north by North Kivu Province; and the south by Tanganyika Province. The province covers an area of approximately 69,130 square kilometers and has an estimated population of 8,147,400 as of 2024.
The region has historically been inhabited by various Bantu-speaking ethnic groups, including the Bamushi, Bafuliiru, Bahavu, Banyindu, Babembe, Babuyu, Balega, Babwari, Baholoholo, Banyanga, Bavira, Bakusu, Batembo, Barongeronge, and Baswaga, as well as Pygmy communities. During the colonial period, the borders of the Congo Free State were established by the 1885 Berlin Conference, placing all of Lake Kivu and both banks of the Ruzizi River within the Free State. The region's boundaries were later subject to disputes, including the Kivu frontier incident of 1909, which was resolved in 1910 when the eastern portion of Kivu was allocated to Uganda Protectorate and German East Africa. Kivu District was formally created in 1912 and later divided into Sud-Kivu and Nord-Kivu Districts in 1951. After a series of administrative reorganizations, South Kivu became a separate province in 1988, alongside North Kivu and Maniema.
Administratively, South Kivu is divided into eight territories: Fizi, Idjwi, Kabare, Kalehe, Mwenga, Shabunda, Uvira, and Walungu, which are further subdivided into sectors and chiefdoms. The province contains four officially recognized cities: Bukavu, Uvira, Baraka, and Kamituga. Its economy is primarily based on agriculture, livestock farming, trade, and services. Significant natural and cultural landmarks include the Kahuzi-Biéga National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve, both designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as Idjwi Island, Lake Kivu beaches, and Kavumu Airport.
Since the First Congo War, South Kivu has experienced persistent armed conflict and instability, particularly during the Second Congo War. The province has been a battleground for various armed groups, including the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire, the Rwandan Patriotic Army, Congolese Rally for Democracy, Mai-Mai local community-based militias as well as March M23 Movement, RED-Tabara, Twirwaneho, Ngumino, and Android. Ongoing insecurity, fueled by competition over natural resources has led to widespread human rights abuses, displacement of civilians, and humanitarian crises.
Geography
South Kivu is situated in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, forming part of the African Great Lakes region. It shares borders with North Kivu to the north, Maniema to the west, and Tanganyika to the south. To the east, the province is bounded by Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania. The landscape is predominantly mountainous, with the Mitumba Mountain range covering a significant portion of the province. Mount Kahuzi, standing at 3,308 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in South Kivu. The province also encompasses the Albertine Rift Valley, which includes the Ruzizi Plain, as well as Lakes Kivu and Tanganyika. In contrast, the western part of the province, particularly Shabunda Territory, consists of low-lying regions extending from the Maniema plateau, sloping gently toward the Congo River basin.Hydrology
The province is home to two major lakes: Lake Kivu and Lake Tanganyika. Lake Kivu, situated at an altitude of 1,470 meters, is one of the deepest lakes in Africa. However, its ichthyofaunal biodiversity remains comparatively constrained due to the pervasive presence of dissolved carbon dioxide and methane gas. In contrast, Lake Tanganyika, which reaches a depth of 773 meters, is rich in fish and supports fishing activities in the region. It is also the second deepest in the world after Russia's Lake Baikal. These two lakes are connected by the Ruzizi River, which runs along the province's eastern border. Other significant rivers include the Elila and Ulindi Rivers, with many originating from the eastern mountain ranges before draining westward into the Lualaba River. Most of the province's rivers belong to the Congo River Basin, although some flow directly into its lakes. Lake Kivu contains an estimated 45 billion cubic meters of dissolved methane gas in its deep waters, presenting both an energy resource and a potential environmental hazard.The province hosts four hydroelectric power stations, such as Ruzizi I, Ruzizi II, Kyimbi, and Mungombe, while the Magembe micro-power plant in Fizi Territory remains inoperative. South Kivu is also endowed with considerable petroleum reserves, with oil deposits identified along the western littoral of Lake Kivu, within its subaqueous substratum, and across the Ruzizi Plain and Lake Tanganyika. Ongoing exploratory endeavors are being undertaken in Katanga, particularly at the confluence of the Mutambala River in Baraka, alongside similar research in Karamba, near the Nemba River, where bituminous hydrocarbon residues containing an 80% carbon composition have been extracted since 2020. Peat deposits are similarly exploited in multiple locales, including Kakonda and Nyangezi, Chiherano, and Kachandja.
The province is prone to seasonal flooding, particularly during the rainy season, which frequently disrupts infrastructure and settlements.
Relief and geology
South Kivu's topography varied, with the eastern region dominated by the Mitumba mountain range, which often rises above 3,000 meters in elevation. The central and western parts of the province are marked by high and low plateaus, respectively. The eastern highlands form part of the Albertine Rift, a geological depression that includes both Lake Kivu and Lake Tanganyika.The province's geology is divided into three main groups: basement terrains, volcanic terrains, and cover terrains. The basement terrains, primarily found in the western and central parts of the province, date back to the Middle Carboniferous period. These areas, which make up more than 70% of the province, are rich in valuable minerals like cassiterite, gold, columbite-tantalite, and wolframite, which have been mined since the colonial era. Volcanic terrains near Bukavu are dominated by basaltic rocks and ancient lava flows, particularly in the National INERA-Mulungu region.In addition to its volcanic terrain, South Kivu contains extensive sedimentary basins, such as the Lake Kivu and Ruzizi Plain Basin, which have accumulated mineral-rich deposits over time. These include valuable resources such as gold, columbite-tantalite, diamonds and wolframite as well as tin, monazite, limestone, cassiterite, methane gas and thermal waters. The province's soil composition varies by region: Kabare, Idjwi, and Walungu territories have predominantly clayey soils, though these are increasingly degraded due to erosion and overpopulation, leading to frequent land disputes and a decline in livestock farming. While Idjwi still retains fertile agricultural land, population pressures have made arable land scarce. Kalehe Territory has rich clay soils, benefiting from its proximity to forests and containing small gold deposits. In contrast, the territories of Shabunda, Mwenga, and Fizi have sandy soils that support agriculture while also holding significant mineral wealth, including tin, gold, cassiterite, and coltan. Uvira Territory features sandy soils ideal for rice and cotton cultivation, while its high plateaus provide favorable conditions for livestock farming due to their mild climate.
Climate
South Kivu's mountainous eastern region, including Bukavu, experiences a temperate climate with mild temperatures. The dry season lasts from June to September, with an average annual temperature of 19°C in Bukavu. Higher altitudes, such as the Minembwe, Mulenge, Kalonge, and Kahuzi-Biéga mountains, experience cooler temperatures. These areas support grassy mountain vegetation with distinct layers.The central and western parts of the province, particularly Shabunda Territory and Mwenga Territory, have a tropical rainforest climate, characterized by dense equatorial forests and abundant rainfall throughout the year. The Ruzizi Plain, however, experiences a microclimate with a tropical climate and relatively low rainfall. Kabare, Walungu, Kalehe, Idjwi, and Bukavu territories experience a distinct two-season cycle: a dry season lasting three months and a rainy season lasting nine months. The dry season is marked by high temperatures and a scarcity of rainfall, particularly in marshy areas. However, deforestation, environmental degradation, and population growth are increasingly disrupting the rainfall patterns in these regions. Forested areas such as Fizi, Mwenga, and Shabunda, located near the equatorial forest, receive heavy rainfall year-round. Uvira, apart from its highlands, has also seen declining rainfall and rising temperatures due to population growth and environmental destruction.
The region's vegetation is characterized by a grassy savannah with thorns and Myrtillocactus geometrizans, most notably in the Kahuzi-Biéga National Park.
Administrative divisions
South Kivu is administratively structured into a decentralized system that balances governance between the central government, provincial authorities, and localized territorial entities. The province is hierarchically divided into several administrative subdivisions, including territories, cities, communes, sectors, and chiefdoms. Both the province and decentralized territorial entities possess legal personality, allowing them to manage economic, human, financial, and technical resources autonomously.Territories
The province is composed of eight territories, each governed by a Territorial Administrator, who is assisted by two Assistant Territorial Administrators. These officials, appointed by the Ministry of the Interior and Security, are responsible for implementing state policies and overseeing governance in remote or rural areas. The province's administration is further supervised by the provincial governor, who acts as the President's representative in South Kivu.The territories in South Kivu include:
| Fizi Territory |
| Idjwi Territory |
| Kabare Territory |
| Kalehe Territory |
| Mwenga Territory |
| Shabunda Territory |
| Uvira Territory |
| Walungu Territory |