Moïse Nyarugabo, a former senior official in the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has condemned drone attacks by FARDC forces that killed many cows belonging to the Banyamulenge community. He claims that President Félix Tshisekedi and Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye are behind these actions.
The attacks reportedly took place in recent days, including during the night of March 30 to 31, 2026, targeting several areas inhabited by Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, particularly the Banyamulenge.
In a statement, Nyarugabo who often speaks on behalf of the Banyamulenge community said that “During the night of March 30 to 31, 2026, the drones of Mr.Tshisekedi and Mr.Ndayishimiye bombed the village of Gakenke and killed 42 cows, injured several others, and wounded the herders.”
He further stated that on the morning of Tuesday, March 31, Burundian soldiers, together with FARDC troops, launched heavy attacks using weapons such as recoilless guns (SPG-9), Multiple Rocket Launchers LRM Katiousha, 80 and 120 mm Mortars and others in areas including Gakenke, Kalongi Kalingi, and Bidegu, attempting advance to occupy them.
Nyarugabo said these forces were pushed back and prevented from entering those areas. However, the attacks resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians and left many others injured.
He also added that “That night from March 31 to April 1,2026, they once again used drones to bomb several villages multiple times.”
In a message accompanied by images showing the killed livestock, Nyarugabo stated that in Ilundu, attackers killed 70 cows and injured nearly 140 others.
He said “I attach to this message the images from that night, and they show you the degree of cruelty and barbarity of Messrs. Ndayishimiye and Tshisekedi.”
The politician emphasized that such acts of violence, which have frequently targeted the Banyamulenge in Minembwe, should not be ignored. He stressed that members of this community continue to be killed, and their property, especially their cattle continues to be destroyed.
RADIOTV10
