Burundian troops back militias targeting Banyamulenge
The civil self-defense group MRDP-Twirwaneho has issued an urgent alert over what it describes as coordinated and premeditated attacks targeting Banyamulenge civilians in the territories of Fizi and Itombwe, in South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to MRDP-Twirwaneho, armed elements of the Burundian military have illegally entered Congolese territory from Rumonge.
These forces are said to have joined other foreign and local militias already active in the region and have reportedly crossed Lake Tanganyika to land at Kazimia.
The group claims that this operation represents a serious violation of Congolese sovereignty and international laws concerning border respect, and it jeopardizes peace efforts underway through the Doha process.
MRDP-Twirwaneho further alleges that Burundian troops have formed an alliance with Wazalendo militias and supplied them with approximately 700 crates of war ammunition.
The group believes these arms are intended to support large-scale military operations aimed at Banyamulenge civilians.
Three main operational axes have been identified:
Group I, operating along the Rugezi axis, is reportedly deployed near Mukera and includes FDLR fighters and militants from Lulenge and Kilembwe under the command of individuals named Hamada and Safari. Their objective is to target the Banyamulenge population in Rugezi.
Group II, along the Mulima axis, has moved toward the village of Mulima and consists of combined FARDC and Wazalendo forces. They are said to be planning coordinated attacks on villages including Gakenke, Mikenke, and other parts of the Ndondo area, locally referred to as Muchagoti.
Group III, along the Gahwera axis, is composed of Wazalendo and FDLR fighters who have regrouped in Lukombe, specifically near the Nyabibuye site. This group, reportedly under the command of Hamada, is preparing to attack Gahwera and surrounding villages.
MRDP-Twirwaneho condemned the planned assault as genocidal and accused the Kinshasa government of complicity by relying on Burundian forces and Wazalendo militias to carry out operations against its own population.
The group vowed to defend the local population and urged the international community to act before the situation escalates further.
MRDP-Twirwaneho also denounced what it called the deadly involvement of Burundian troops and their support for the Wazalendo militias, accusing the Congolese government of turning a blind eye to crimes being committed on its own soil.
The group concluded its statement by affirming its commitment to protecting civilians and their property from what it described as a plan of extermination supported by state actors.
The statement was signed in Minembwe on June 25, 2025, by Kamasa Ndatabaye Welcome, Coordinator of MRDP-Twirwaneho.
