A Resident of Minembwe Expresses Concern Over Drone Attacks and Their Impact on Civilians
As insecurity continues to worsen in several areas of the Minembwe highlands, a resident from the Mulenge region in South Kivu Province shared testimony with Minembwe Capital News regarding what he described as repeated drone attacks allegedly carried out by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), in collaboration with the Burundian army, Wazalendo fighters, and the FDLR. According to him, these attacks are causing significant damage to civilian populations and destroying numerous homes and infrastructures.
The resident stated that the strikes have been occurring repeatedly for several days, mainly during the night. Local communities say they are living in fear and under constant psychological distress because of the explosions and gunfire caused by the drones.
According to his testimony, more than fifteen houses have already been destroyed or burned as a result of the attacks. Five people were also reportedly injured, including two men, one woman, and one child. He emphasized that all the victims are believed to be Banyamulenge civilians living in the affected areas.
He stated:
“FARDC drones and their allies set eight houses on fire on Monday. The destroyed homes are located in the localities of Rudabagiza, Gakenke, and Lundu.”
He further explained that additional attacks had also taken place the previous Saturday, causing more material damage and injuring two other people. He added that three more individuals were wounded on Monday, a situation that, according to him, continues to place residents in serious danger.
He added:
“Other houses had already been burned last Saturday. The total number of injured people has now risen to five. On Saturday, two people were wounded, while on Monday, two men and one child were injured.”
Residents say the situation is becoming increasingly alarming, especially because the attacks mainly occur at night, preventing civilians from sleeping or carrying out their daily activities safely. Some reports indicate that several families have already begun fleeing toward areas considered safer.
In his testimony, the resident stressed that the people of Minembwe are suffering from deep psychological trauma due to the growing number of attacks which, according to him, are targeting civilian-populated areas.
He declared:
“Here at home, the security situation is extremely bad. The drones fire throughout the night until dawn. Residents are deeply traumatized by these FARDC drones and their allies, especially the Burundian army, the Wazalendo, and the FDLR.”
So far, neither the Congolese authorities nor any of the armed groups mentioned in the testimony have officially responded to these accusations made by residents. However, local communities continue to call on international organizations and human rights defenders to closely monitor the deteriorating security situation and the impact of the conflict on civilians.
For several years, the Minembwe region has faced severe insecurity. The Wazalendo groups, the FDLR, as well as the FARDC and certain foreign forces, have frequently been accused of abuses and violations affecting civilian populations, particularly the Banyamulenge community. The Banyamulenge remain among the primary victims of the conflict, enduring forced displacement, loss of property, and the destruction of their homes.