The Banyamulenge in Belgium Stage a Major Protest Condemning the Kinshasa Government as Fighting Intensifies in Minembwe
In the city of Brussels, Belgium, members of the Banyamulenge community residing in the country staged a large protest denouncing the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, led by President Félix Tshisekedi. The demonstration reflected strong anger among participants, who accuse the Kinshasa authorities of involvement in acts of violence allegedly taking place in parts of South Kivu Province, particularly in Minembwe and surrounding areas.
Protesters carried various placards bearing strong messages condemning the government in Kinshasa. Some of the signs displayed slogans rejecting President Tshisekedi and his administration, with demonstrators stating that they sought to draw international attention to what they describe as “mass killings and human rights abuses against the Banyamulenge community” in eastern Congo. The protest was held in Brussels as part of efforts to urge the international community to take action regarding what they describe as a long-standing crisis.
The demonstration comes at a time when reports from eastern DRC continue to indicate ongoing fighting in Minembwe and other areas of Mulenge. Various sources report that the Congolese army (FARDC), in cooperation with Burundian forces, the Wazalendo militia, and the FDLR, have continued military operations in areas inhabited by the Banyamulenge. It is alleged that fighting persisted on Wednesday and Thursday in locations including Kalingi, Bidegu, Kalongi, and Mikenke.
There are also fresh reports indicating that, on the same day, FARDC fighter jets were deployed to the Minembwe region as part of ongoing military operations. The aircraft are said to have taken off from Kalemie and operated over several areas of Minembwe, where clashes have reportedly continued.
The protest in Belgium follows similar demonstrations previously held by Banyamulenge communities in other countries, including the United States and Kenya, where they also voiced opposition to the Kinshasa government, accusing it of targeting civilians who, they say, are living under severe insecurity.
In a unified message, participants called on the international community and global organizations to closely monitor the situation in eastern Congo and urged the launch of an independent and thorough investigation into the allegations, in order to help restore peace and security in the affected regions.
