Bukavu : Banyamulenge continue to be victims of abuses by the Wazalendo

Bukavu, June 12, 2025 – New violence was reported on Wednesday in Uvira territory, South Kivu, eastern Congo. Banyamulenge police officers, teachers, and women traveling to Bijombo were arrested, tortured, and robbed by Wazalendo elements, according to several local sources.

Among the victims were seven police officers, four teachers, and two women. They claim to have been intercepted by the men of self-proclaimed generals Landabango and Alexis Dunia while en route to Bijombo under escort of Burundian soldiers. The Wazalendo then allegedly arrested them, accusing them of belonging to the M23.

“They beat us, stole our money, took our weapons, clothes, and shoes, saying we were Rwandans and shouldn’t wear Congolese police uniforms,” ​​one of the police officers testified.

Several victims suffered head, rib, and leg injuries, and some suffered severe psychological trauma, according to testimonies collected on the scene. Visibly traumatized Banyamulenge police officers and teachers were released thanks to the intervention of the deputy mayor of Uvira. They were able to return to their families on Wednesday evening.

Faced with this situation, several local organizations, including the CEPCC (Awakening Coalition for Peace and Community Cohabitation), sent an open letter to the governor of South Kivu to denounce these acts and demand urgent intervention from the authorities.

“Being Munyamulenge is not a crime. “This war must not lead to the exclusion of an entire community,” the letter says. “State agents were arrested, beaten, and robbed simply because of their appearance, which was identified with the M23.”

The document also underscores the seriousness of the incident, which allegedly took place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., from the Bavira chiefdom to a Wazalendo camp led by General Dunia.

The Banyamulenge are not the only ones to report abuses. Members of the Shi community, traveling in the areas of Fizi, Baraka, Uvira, and the Ruzizi Plain, also claim to be the target of harassment by the same armed groups.

Last May, Human Rights Watch published a damning report on the abuses committed by Wazalendo groups in South Kivu, specifically mentioning attacks against the Banyamulenge and other local communities.

The Wazalendo, local militias supported by the Congolese authorities, reportedly benefit from the support of the Burundi National Defense Force (FDNB) as well as members of the CNDD-FDD youth league, the Imbonerakure.