Yolande Makolo has firmly rejected assertions by Muyaya on X suggesting that all attacks on the Banyamulenge in Minembwe were carried out by M23 with Rwanda’s involvement.
Makolo characterized Muyaya’s claims as a deliberate attempt to shift responsibility from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo to M23.
“Accusing others of crimes you commit yourself is a tactic often used to incite violence or justify atrocities. Distorting facts to portray the attacker as the victim endangers civilians and undermines accountability,” she stated.
The Banyamulenge community, particularly in South Kivu’s Minembwe, Fizi, Uvira, and Itombwe regions, has repeatedly reported attacks involving FARDC and allied militias, resulting in civilian casualties and destruction of homes and livestock.
Recent incidents include the use of drones by FARDC in populated Banyamulenge areas, which killed civilians, destroyed livestock, and damaged property.
The Rwandan government identifies the FDLR—now integrated into FARDC—as the main driver of insecurity, warning that sustainable peace in the region is only possible once this group, which continues to propagate genocide ideology, is neutralized.
