The MRDP-Twirwaneho rebel movement in eastern DR Congo has accused government coalition forces of carrying out “targeted and systematic attacks” against Banyamulenge civilians in Uvira, in South Kivu province. ALSO READ: Kinshasa cuts telecoms in Uvira to hide abuses, says AFC/M23 In a statement on Wednesday, January 21, self-defence group said violence intensified from January 18 following the withdrawal of AFC/M23 forces. Violence is carried out by government forces and Kinshasa-backed FDLR and Wazalendo militias and Burundian armed forces. “This is a selective persecution based on ethnic identity, not isolated incidents,” Twirwaneho said. “Banyamulenge civilians are being punished simply for who they are.” According to the group, which is part of the AFC/M23 alliance, warning signs emerged before the January 15 withdrawal, when civilians were attacked near Kirungu along the Uvira–High Plateaus axis. “What civilians feared has come to pass,” the statement said, adding that the community “remains exposed in the absence of effective protection.” Following the AFC/M23 withdrawal, government-backed militias entered Uvira, triggering looting, gunfire, and intimidation. “Many families, mostly women and children, fled to Kamanyola and parts of Bukavu under AFC/M23 control to save their lives,” MRDP-Twirwaneho said. Reports said about 300 families of Banyamulenge people fled to the border town of Kamanyoka. The group claimed that “nearly 70 percent” of Banyamulenge homes, churches in Uvira were destroyed or looted. The accusations come as AFC/M23 accused that the Congolese government shut down telecommunications in Uvira. “The regime ordered a blackout to hush up crimes committed by its so-called cleaning units,” AFC/M23 deputy coordinator Bertrand Bisiimwa said. AFC/M23 withdrew its forces from Uvira, describing the move as “a gesture of good faith” in support of ongoing peace efforts and called on the United Nations to deploy a neutral force to protect civilians. No deployment of such a force, which Kinshasa is reportedly opposed to.
