Former Democratic Republic of Congo Vice President Azarias Ruberwa has spoken out about the violence against the Banyamulenge community in eastern Congo, highlighting a stark contrast between the responses of former President Joseph Kabila and current President Félix Tshisekedi. According to Ruberwa, Kabila took action early on to stop the killings, while Tshisekedi ignored his 15 appeals for help. Ruberwa made these comments at a Congolese diaspora prayer gathering in Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 3.
Ruberwa, a prominent Banyamulenge political figure and former senior government official, recalled his involvement in the issue since 1996. He said he had worked both outside and inside government institutions to seek political solutions to the long-standing problem. The Banyamulenge community, concentrated in the highlands of South Kivu, has faced persecution and violence for decades. Ruberwa emphasized that the problem persisted and could not be resolved quickly, requiring patience and work across generations.
The former vice president specifically mentioned that Kabila's administration took action to stop what he described as an attempt to exterminate Banyamulenge people on the Hauts Plateaux of South Kivu. In contrast, Ruberwa claimed that Tshisekedi's administration did not take adequate action, despite his repeated appeals. Ruberwa's comments are consistent with concerns he has expressed publicly in recent months about the security situation in Minembwe.
Ruberwa also accused elements of the Congolese security establishment of working with armed groups that have targeted the Banyamulenge. He claimed that an armed group whose stated objective was to eliminate the Banyamulenge was now working alongside the national army. This assertion highlights the complexity of the conflict and the need for a broader political dialogue to resolve the issue.
The former vice president urged those affected by the violence to remain united and maintain relations with other communities. He emphasized that the suffering of Banyamulenge families should not lead to hatred of other Congolese communities. Ruberwa also invoked the biblical Book of Nehemiah, which he described as one of his favorite books of the Bible and a model of leadership.
Ruberwa's comparison of Kabila and Tshisekedi's responses comes against the background of his own long relationship with Kabila's political establishment. He served as one of four vice presidents in Congo's transitional government from 2003 to 2006 and was also secretary-general of the Rally for Congolese Democracy, a rebel movement that controlled large areas of eastern Congo during the war.
The issue remains a pressing concern, with Ruberwa calling for an international and independent investigation into alleged crimes in the area. He argued that the conflict in eastern Congo cannot be resolved through military means alone and emphasized the need for a broader political dialogue. The situation in Minembwe and other parts of South Kivu continues to be a source of concern for human rights groups and the international community.
Key points
- Former DRC Vice President Azarias Ruberwa claims that President Félix Tshisekedi ignored his 15 appeals for help to stop violence against the Banyamulenge community.
- Ruberwa contrasts Tshisekedi's response with that of former President Joseph Kabila, who took action to stop the killings.
- The Banyamulenge community has faced persecution and violence for decades, with Ruberwa emphasizing the need for patience and work across generations to resolve the issue.
