Emo ‘Membondo United Kingdom we remember the life of a younger brother MBAVU NDOGO MICHEL, a here from Fizi.
During the commemoration of the first World war of 1914-1918, also called the “Greater War” (Grande Guerre), we should remember the brave officer (s), from the Fizi, of the Public Forces (Force Publique) of the Congo-Belge, 1st Sergent Major Mbavu Ndogo Michel (some called him Mbavu Moya).
In 1916, Belgium decided to expel the Germans from their colonial lands especially Urundi (Burundi) and Tanganyika (Tanzania). The Commander in Chief of the Force Publique was named after General Charles Henri Marie Ernest Tombeur. The Sergent Mbavu Ndogo became commander of a regiment called “Brigade du sud”.
On the 6th of 1916, he invaded Usumbura (Bujumbura) and fired at the Allemands, under the leadership of the Lieutenant-Colonel Frédérick Olsen.
On the 27th of June 1916, Sergent Mbavu captured the city of Kigoma.
On 28th of July 1916, he captured Ujiji.
On 19 September 1916, he captured Tabora under the leadership of General Tombeur.
On the 9th of October 1916, he captained Mahenge under the leadership of another cadet officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Armand Huyghe.
Sergent Mbavu Moya deported germans to Burundi and Tanzania. General Tombeur was awarded the title “Baron Charles Tombeur de Tabora”. Lieutenant Colonel has been given such treatment
“Chevalier Armand de Mahenge”.
1st Sergent Major Mbavu Moya remembered in 1958 after World War
(1940-1945), in which the brave RDC officer fought once more than the germans. As a reward:
1) He was given the ring of the 1st Sergent Major of the Force Publique and was sent to Bukavu.
2) His picture was posted on a 10 frank note on the Banque Centrale du Congo-Belge et du Ruanda-Urundi, which you see below.
The central bank published a photo of 1st Sergent Major Mbavu Michel on 1st December 1958.
3) Some say that the Bukavu / Kadutu Carrefour was his monument.
As of today, there is no single trace of that monument.
The victory of the Force Publique champion resulted in the combined streets of Kinshasa and Lubumbashi being named after the towns he had plundered in the hands of Germans, such as “Avenue Kigoma”, “Avenue Tabora”, “Avenue Mahenge” and in Boma, one camp called “Camp Tabora”.
Congratulations to 1st Sergent Major Mbavu Moya Michel, who passed away in 1982.
Also congratulations to Fizi, congratulations to the République Démocratique du Congo, our country.
