Minembwe: A Warning Before It Is Too Late in the Eastern DRC

An alarm raised by Mrs Sandra Nkulu Kyungu, PPRD/Diaspora Coordinator

Fighting is drawing closer to Minembwe and intensifying along several fronts in the Hauts-Plateaux, spreading as far as Kalehe, Masisi and even Rutshuru.

In recent days, clashes have once again been reported in the Mulima-Mukoko area, while the United Nations has been documenting for several months an intensification of military operations around Minembwe.

Today, Minembwe finds itself virtually surrounded by active fronts and hostile military positions. And when we hear talk of “retaking Minembwe”, the following questions must be asked clearly:

• Retaking Minembwe for what purpose?
• At what human cost?
• Why is the government organising massacres against this already battered population in eastern DRC?
• How many more people must die before the country reacts?

Should this offensive lead to civilian massacres, no one will be able to claim tomorrow that they did not know. The people of Minembwe, like all Congolese populations, have the right to life, security, and state protection.

Is this what national unity looks like? Can we speak of national cohesion while a part of the population lives in fear of a generalized offensive?

I call on the Congolese government, and I alert MONUSCO, the UN, the African Union, and all international mechanisms for the protection of civilians:

minembwe must be protected. the eastern drc has the right to peace and human dignity.

when there is a risk of mass violence against a community and/or civilian populations, the duty is not to wait for mass graves to react. moreover: