The Banyamulenge people, together with other ethnic groups including the Babembe, Bapfuru, Bashi, and others living in Minembwe in the Mwenga, Fizi, and Uvira zones, held a protest against Burundian troops, accusing them of starving the Banyamulenge population.
Human rights organizations, local residents, traditional leaders, and representatives of women’s groups took to the streets to demonstrate.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, they stated that Burundian troops and their allies have set up camps in areas where essential goods such as medicine, salt, sugar, and soap are sourced, items that local people need for survival.
They argue that the actions of the Burundian army violate basic human rights and go against international agreements.
The statement further alleges that these troops, together with their allies, the Wazalendo and FDLR have been attempting to commit genocide against the Banyamulenge for the past eight years, using starvation as a weapon and forcing survivors into displacement.
Part of the statement reads: “They are deliberately starving the population, and this has become a weapon of war aimed at exterminating us.”
The statement describes this as a war crime, punishable under international law. The signatories made several demands, including the immediate removal of obstacles preventing humanitarian aid from reaching civilians, and the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the situation.
They also called for the withdrawal of Burundian troops from Congolese territory, the return of displaced persons to their homes, and the repatriation of refugees in accordance with international law.
Additionally, they requested an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed by government forces and their allies (FNDB, FDLR, and Wazalendo).
They appealed to the African Union and MONUSCO to help find a lasting solution to the crisis.
Over the past eight years, this conflict has claimed many lives, destroyed more than 500 villages, 134 schools, and 41 health centers, and displaced over 3,200,000 people from their homes.
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