The leadership of Twirwaneho, a self-defense group advocating for the protection of the Banyamulenge people against alleged persecution by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government, has confirmed the death of its leader, Colonel Rukunda Michel, widely known as Makanika. He was killed in a drone strike launched by the coalition of Congolese armed forces on February 19, 2025.
In an official statement signed by Twirwaneho’s coordinator, Ndakize Kamasa Welcome, on February 20, 2025, the group expressed its condolences to the Banyamulenge community, supporters, and members of the movement worldwide.
“Our hero has fallen on February 19, 2025, on the battlefield against the genocide targeting the Banyamulenge and others like them, which has been ongoing for seven years. This genocide has been orchestrated and executed by the DRC government, Wazalendo forces, and their allies, who carried out the drone attack from Kisangani in an attempt to weaken our self-defense efforts,” the statement read.
The group affirmed that the struggle initiated by Col. Makanika would continue unabated, calling on Banyamulenge people worldwide to join their cause in resisting what they describe as attempts to exterminate their community, seize their ancestral land, and end the injustices they face.
Col. Makanika was formerly the Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) in Walikale, North Kivu, overseeing military operations and intelligence. He defected from the Congolese army, citing the government’s failure to protect Banyamulenge civilians from armed groups and alleged complicity of some military factions in these atrocities.
For decades, the Banyamulenge community in the DRC has been subjected to extreme violence, with many analysts comparing the atrocities to genocide. However, the lack of direct government accountability has prevented an official classification of the violence as genocide.
The persecution of the Banyamulenge dates back to the colonial era, with systemic denial of citizenship rights, including the right to exist peacefully. Large-scale massacres against them were first recorded in 1964 during the Mulele rebellion. Following a period of relative calm, renewed violence erupted in 1996, 1997, and 1998, continuing in waves over the years.
Since April 2017, the violence has intensified. Armed Mai-Mai militias, in collaboration with Red Tabara and FNL PALIPEHUTU from Burundi, have launched well-coordinated attacks in various parts of South Kivu, including Lemera, Rurambo, Itombwe, Swima, Uvira, Sange, Lulenge, and other regions. These attacks have involved mass killings, arson, livestock theft, and forced displacement of those who survived.
With Col. Makanika’s death, the future of Twirwaneho remains uncertain, but the group has vowed to continue its resistance against what they claim to be an orchestrated campaign of extermination.
