The seizure and then abrupt withdrawal of the M23 armed group from the city of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’s South Kivu province has drawn renewed attention to the precarious position of the area’s minority Banyamulenge population.
Banyamulenge, Congolese Tutsis of Rwandan descent who have lived in South Kivu for generations, are often unfairly viewed as associated with the Tutsi-led, Rwanda-backed M23, which has established a parallel administration across vast eastern areas.
At the same time, the M23 and Rwanda have weaponised that stigma, invoking threats against the community to justify their insurgency, which analysts say is more rooted in political, economic, and security interests than support for Tutsi civilians.
These tensions have come into sharp focus in Uvira, which the M23 and Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) captured in December during a rapid offensive before withdrawing last month under diplomatic pressure.
The return of Congolese army forces and pro-government militias exposed Banyumulenge to violence – with thousands leaving the city – but also political exploitation, with the M23 controversially describing the exodus as ethnic cleansing.
“Our churches and homes are being destroyed,” said a Munyamulenge (singular of Banyamulenge) community leader, who fled Uvira. “People associate us with rebels or Rwandans, even though our ancestors, parents, and others who came before us know nothing about Rwanda.”
The New Humanitarian interviewed 10 Banyamulenge from Uvira over the past two weeks. They described homes, shops, and communal spaces being looted, but also non-Banyamulenge neighbours condemning the break-ins and giving them shelter.
They said Banyamulenge community leaders and M23 members urged them to move to a nearby M23-held town called Kamanyola, prompting the vast majority of the population to leave Uvira.
The small number who remained said they lacked the means to relocate and described persistent fear, even as the situation has somewhat stabilised and as the UN peacemaking mission in DRC prepares to deploy personnel to Uvira.
“We only want peace,” said a Munyamulenge woman in Uvira whose house was looted. She said she lives peacefully with neighbours from other communities, and that some tried to chase away looters and pro-government militias known as Wazalendo.
