The Burundian army, in collaboration with Congolese forces and allied militias, has been accused of carrying out coordinated attacks against Congolese Tutsi and Banyamulenge civilians in South Kivu’s Haut Plateaux region, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to a letter submitted to the 24th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government in Nairobi, the attacks, which include drone strikes, bombings, village burnings, and mass killings, have led to widespread civilian displacement and destruction of entire communities.
The letter further claims that these operations are supported and financed by the government in Kinshasa, undermining regional peace and violating COMESA’s founding principles.
The victims and members of Tutsi/Banyamulenge organizations under the GAKONDO and ISOKO networks have appealed to COMESA to take urgent action against Burundi’s alleged involvement in the atrocities.
They describe the campaign as a continuation of ethnic persecution aimed at uprooting the Tutsi/Banyamulenge population from their ancestral lands.
Having failed to eliminate the Tutsi population in North Kivu, the DRC government’s armed forces and their allies have now redirected their attacks toward the Tutsi/Banyamulenge in South Kivu province, the statement reads.
The signatories accuse Burundi’s army (FDNB), together with government-backed Wazalendo militias and FDLR elements, of carrying out systematic violence against civilians in Minembwe and surrounding areas.
They demand that Burundi withdraw all its troops from Eastern DRC and be held accountable for the killings.
The diaspora organizations representing Tutsi/Banyamulenge communities across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia also urged COMESA leaders meeting in Nairobi to condemn Burundi’s actions, launch an independent international investigation, and impose urgent regional measures to protect civilians.
The letter warns of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Minembwe, where a state-engineered siege has reportedly cut off food and medical supplies. The groups say these atrocities could amount to acts of genocide if left unchecked.
We appeal to COMESA’s collective conscience and leadership to act now to ensure Burundi withdraws its troops, to protect Congolese Tutsi/Banyamulenge, and to uphold regional peace, justice, and human dignity, the appeal states.
The statement was signed by leaders of the Tutsi/Banyamulenge diaspora communities in over 15 countries, including Canada, the United States, Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, France, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Australia, and South Korea.
Among the signatories are Kazinguvu Ruboneka, President of the Community in Canada and Head of the Gakondo Collective; Jules Rutebuka, President of the Community in Rwanda; Alexis Manyota, President of the Community in South Africa; Safari Munyarugendo of ISOKO-USA; and Odette Rwabuzi of ISOKO-Canada.
Dated October 6, 2025, the appeal urges COMESA’s Heads of State to make the situation in Eastern Congo a priority during the Nairobi summit and to demand the immediate withdrawal of Burundian forces from the region.