Members of the Banyamulenge community in eastern DR Congo have called on the United States to pressure the Congolese government to stop attacks on civilians in the Minembwe area of South Kivu province. In a peaceful protest on Friday, February 6, Banyamulenge, a minority group that has faced sustained attacks at the hands of forces allied to the Congolese government, urged the US government to reconsider its investment deals and support to Kinshasa in light of ongoing genocidal violence. ALSO READ: AFC/M23 warns of 'imminent genocide' against Banyamulenge civilians In a memorandum addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the community criticised the US government for putting pressure on the AFC/M23 rebels to withdraw from Uvira city in mid-January, which was followed by renewed violence against civilians. For eight years, while under the control of the DRC government, Uvira functioned as a base for attacks against the Banyamulenge and as a launchpad for violence in Minembwe, read part of the statement. The government of Kinshasa has worked in coalition with over 100 militia groups and successfully managed to destroy more than 90% of our churches, approximately 80% of our villages, an estimated 600,000 of our cattle looted, destroying livelihoods and over 85% of our homes, schools, and NGO facilities systematically targeted. ALSO READ: DR Congo: Twirwaneho warns of govt attacks on Uvira, Minembwe highlands They said violence against Banyamulenge had stopped when the AFC/M23 took control of Uvira in early December. However, following the unilateral withdrawal of AFC/M23, destruction escalated dramatically. 70% of Banyamulenge homes were destroyed; 5 churches were destroyed, countless shops and humanitarian aid agencies were vandalised, the statement said. These crimes occurred under the authority of the Congolese state and its funded militias and Burundian army. It is therefore legitimate to ask: how can responsibility be shifted elsewhere when these atrocities happened under DRC government control? The U.S. decision was intended to create a path to peace but has enabled some of the most abusive armed groups and the government army to carry out attacks on the Banyamulenge Christian minority. Independent investigations are urgently required. In the memo, the Banyamulenge said US pressure on the rebels to withdraw enabled crimes against humanity by the DRC and Burundian governments. We call on the United States to stop funding and legitimising a system that fuels hate and violence. Continued financial, military, and diplomatic support to the DRC government without strict accountability creates indirect complicity in crimes committed on the ground. We urge the Secretary of State to take into consideration our denied rights too. They summed up their demands in five recommendations. They urged Secretary Rubio to reassess U.S. investment and support to the DRC government in light of documented abuses, condition all assistance on civilian protection and accountability; demand an immediate end to aerial bombardments and militia sponsorship; support independent international investigations; and ensure unconditional humanitarian access to Banyamulenge areas. As direct victims of these atrocious crimes by a state actor, we reject violence and call for lawful, principled action, the statement read.
