U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson has raised fresh concerns over the security of Banyamulenge communities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, warning of worsening violence and displacement in the region.
His remarks follow a protest held in Washington, D.C. on April 20, 2026, where demonstrators called for justice and greater international attention to attacks, killings, and forced displacement targeting Banyamulenge populations in North and South Kivu.
Wilson criticised the administration of President Félix Tshisekedi, accusing authorities in Kinshasa of failing to take decisive action to address the deteriorating security situation in the country’s east.
He also pointed to the role of the FDLR in fuelling instability across the Great Lakes region, calling for urgent measures to halt violence and ensure civilian protection.
The US lawmaker urged the governments of the DRC and Burundi to strengthen cooperation in pursuit of a lasting solution, including the swift implementation of existing peace agreements, notably those concluded in Washington.
He further stressed that resolving the crisis requires both international support and stronger domestic engagement, calling on Congolese actors to play a more active role through inclusive dialogue and peace-driven governance.
Protesters, meanwhile, called on the United States and its partners to step up efforts toward a sustainable resolution, warning that lasting peace will remain elusive without coordinated international action.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Great Lakes region, insecurity in eastern DRC continues to deepen, with rising attacks in North and South Kivu worsening humanitarian conditions and civilian vulnerability.
