A senior politician in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has accused Presidents Tshisekedi and Ndayishimiye of perpetrating genocide against the Banyamulenge in Mulenge
A former senior official in the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Moïse Nyarugabo, has accused the President of the DRC, Félix Tshisekedi, and the President of Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye, of being involved in large-scale attacks targeting Banyamulenge civilians, particularly in the areas of Minembwe and its surroundings.
These allegations come at a time when security in eastern DRC continues to deteriorate, with government forces, reportedly in collaboration with Burundian troops, carrying out attacks said to be aimed at destroying and displacing the Banyamulenge population.
According to Nyarugabo, on the previous night, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) dropped explosives in the Gakenke area, killing more than 42 cattle, injuring others, and seriously wounding several herders. He stated that these attacks were intended to undermine the Banyamulenge’s economy, which largely depends on livestock.
He further reported that on the morning of March 31, 2026, Burundian forces, together with FARDC troops, launched heavy attacks on areas including Gakenke, Kalongi, Kalingi, and Bidegu, using heavy weaponry such as SPG-9 guns, Katyusha-type rockets (LRM), and 80mm and 120mm mortars.
Nyarugabo said that although the attacks were aimed at taking control of these مناطق, they were repelled by the MRDP-Twirwaneho group, preventing the attackers from advancing. However, he noted that the assaults left many civilians dead, others injured, and caused significant destruction of property.
He added that during the night of April 1, 2026, drones were again used to launch multiple bombings across different villages, causing further heavy losses among the population.
In a statement accompanied by photos showing dead cattle, Nyarugabo said that in Ilundu alone, more than 70 cattle were killed and nearly 140 others injured. He described these acts as extreme brutality and accused the leaders of both countries of responsibility.
He stated: “These images illustrate the severity and inhumanity of the acts committed, which deserve international condemnation.”
The Banyamulenge are Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese who primarily live in the highlands of Mulenge, including Minembwe, Mibunda, Ndondo, Rurambo, Bibogobogo, and other areas in South Kivu Province. For many years, they have frequently been subjected to attacks and violence by various armed groups allegedly operating alongside FARDC and Burundian forces.
The conflict in eastern DRC is driven by multiple factors, including competition over land, natural resources, and divisions based on ethnicity and language. These dynamics have made the region one of the most persistently unstable areas on the African continent.
The reported use of drones and heavy weaponry highlights how warfare in the region is evolving technologically, potentially increasing both its intensity and destructiveness.
Although these allegations continue to be raised by different parties, neither international bodies nor the accused governments have publicly responded to the claims. However, experts emphasize the need for an independent and thorough investigation to establish the truth about what is happening in the region and to protect the lives of civilians facing ongoing hardship.
This comes as the international community continues to call on all parties involved to cease hostilities and seek lasting peaceful solutions in eastern DRC.
