Congolese refugees in Rwanda have expressed outrage over recent statements made by Gen. Maj. Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which they say demean Tutsi women and constitute ethnic discrimination.
The refugees made their concerns public on Wednesday, December 7, 2025, during a peaceful tour of embassies and international organizations in Kigali, calling on the international community to take action against hate speech and discriminatory practices targeting Tutsis in the DRC.
Edison Munyakarambi Sebutozi, a representative of the refugee community, said the DRC government has historically failed to recognize Tutsis as citizens, and that the community is tired of repeated hate speech from high-ranking officials.
“We warn other Congolese communities still inside the country not to ignore this persecution. The rhetoric used by President Tshisekedi and some of his officials, including Sylvain Ekenge, continues to endanger our people,” Sebutozi said.
The controversy stems from comments Gen. Maj. Ekenge made on national television, suggesting that marrying a Tutsi woman requires caution and implying that Tutsi children belong to a “superior ethnic group” involved in conspiracies.
“Today, if you marry a Tutsi woman, you must be very careful… they might give you someone from her family who is not a relative to bear children with you, and then tell you that the children are Tutsi, because Tutsis are a superior group, and it is a conspiracy,” Ekenge said.
Sebutozi condemned the remarks as blatant discrimination, urging the international community to respond, noting that hate speech fuels prejudice and violence.
“We continue to live with the legacy of genocide. When officials publicly spread such statements, it is part of a broader plan to marginalize and harm our community,” he added.
Denny Kabera, another refugee, said Ekenge’s comments prompted the peaceful advocacy tour, designed to raise awareness about hate speech and the continued discrimination of Tutsis.
The remarks have drawn criticism from senior DRC officials, leading to pressure on military leadership to suspend Gen. Maj. Ekenge from his duties.
