{"id":122380,"date":"2026-04-21T15:12:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T15:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/banyamulenge-protest-in-us-and-kenya-over-minembwe-crisis"},"modified":"2026-04-21T15:25:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T15:25:22","slug":"banyamulenge-protest-in-us-and-kenya-over-minembwe-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/banyamulenge-protest-in-us-and-kenya-over-minembwe-crisis","title":{"rendered":"Banyamulenge Protest in US and Kenya Over Minembwe Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>More than 4,000 people of Banyamulenge origin gathered in Washington D.C. on Monday, April 20, demanding international action to stop violence and a prolonged humanitarian blockade in Minembwe, eastern DR Congo.<\/p>\n

On the same day, similar protests were held in Kenya, with demonstrators echoing calls for an end to attacks and immediate humanitarian access to communities in South Kivu\u2019s high plateaus.<\/p>\n

Thousands of demonstrators in Nairobi, echoing calls for an end to attacks and immediate humanitarian access to communities in South Kivu\u2019s high plateaus.<\/p>\n

The demonstrations come amid months of ongoing violence in Minembwe and surrounding areas, where coalition forces comprising the Congolese army (FARDC), Burundian troops, the Kinshasa-backed genocidal militia FDLR, Wazalendo and other militias have carried out repeated operations affecting civilian-populated villages.<\/p>\n

The blockade on Minembwe has left the community of Banyamulenge with limited access to food, healthcare, and markets. Entire villages, schools, and health centres have been destroyed, while livestock losses have deepened economic insecurity, the protestors said.<\/p>\n

Data from the period from August 2025 to April 2026 shows a pattern of drone strikes, artillery shelling, and ground offensives across villages including Mikenge, Rugezi, Kalingi, Ilundu, Gakenke, and Bijombo.<\/p>\n

The attacks have caused civilian deaths, destruction of homes and infrastructure, and displacement of thousands.<\/p>\n

Speaking to The New Times on Monday, Douglas Kabunda who leads Mahoro Peace Association, a US-based Banyamulenge organisations, said the demonstrators had formally submitted their demands to the United States government, urging it to act on the violence in eastern DR Congo.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe organised this as a community to ensure that we advocate for the people of Minembwe who have not been heard,\u201d Kabunda said.<\/p>\n

He said the situation on the ground has reached alarming levels, describing it as a \u201cslow genocide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe current situation in Minembwe is dire. It is catastrophic. There is a genocide going on because of the slow killings and the population of Minembwe has not had any humanitarian access for… even a year,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have not had any external humanitarian assistance reaching the population.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kabunda pointed to the impact of the blockade imposed by the government coalition fighting the AFC\/M23 rebel movement.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne kilogramme of sugar in Minembwe costs about $40. So that is why we are here, to ensure that the world knows about it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He noted that the protestors had submitted their demands to US authorities including the Congress, calling for immediate intervention.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe demands are simple,\u201d he said, \u201cWe are asking the government of the United States to put pressure on the Congolese government so that they can stop the ongoing drone bombings in Minembwe, in Masisi, and across eastern DR Congo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first thing is to ensure that the drone attacks stop. The second is to ensure that humanitarian corridors are opened so that the people of Minembwe can get food and basic assistance,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Kabunda also called for the withdrawal of foreign forces and recognition of victims.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are also demanding that Burundian soldiers are removed from our country. They do not need to be there, they are killing us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey identified us as the enemy, they confined the population, they imposed a blockade, and now they are using drones and famine,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is a slow genocide taking place in front of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Kenya, protesters delivered a similar message, warning of a systematic pattern of violence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a formal alert on the deteriorating security and human rights situation targeting the Banyamulenge community,\u201d one protester announced while reading a memorandum. \u201cWhat we are witnessing is a systematic campaign, dehumanisation, destruction of livelihoods, and targeted military operations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe request immediate international intervention to prevent further escalation toward a humanitarian catastrophe and to ensure the protection of vulnerable civilian populations,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

He condemned \u201cthe politicisation of identity,\u201d that has fuelled ethnic violence for decades.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn South Kivu, Banyamulenga, who have documented presence in the high plateaus since the 18th century, have faced repeated attempts at political disenfranchisement since the 1970s.\u201d<\/p>\n\r\n