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DRC Must Own Its Crisis And Stop Scapegoating Rwanda for Failures in Eastern Congo

Only through genuine political and security reforms can the region hope for lasting peace.

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The persistent violence in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a tragic reflection of the Congolese government’s failure to govern justly, secure its territory, and protect all its citizens. 

Instead of addressing the root causes of this instability, Kinshasa has continuously deflected blame onto Rwanda, particularly President Paul Kagame. This dangerous narrative not only distorts reality but also exacerbates ethnic divisions, particularly the targeting of the Banyamulenge community.

The current crisis in Eastern DRC has deep historical roots, dating back to the wave of violence and mass displacement unleashed by the Rwandan genocide in 1994. 

Following the refugee exodus, which harboured the forces responsible for the genocide (Interahamwe, ex-FAR) and made Rwanda’s western border insecure, the Rwandan government played a key role in the 1996 Banyamulenge/Tutsi-led rebellion in the then eastern Zaire. 

Uganda and Burundi also backed this rebellion, ultimately leading to Mobutu Sese Seko’s overthrow. Laurent-DĂ©sirĂ© Kabila, initially seen as a promising new leader, soon demonstrated authoritarian tendencies, further complicating the stability of the region. 

READ MORE: Joint Radical Militarisation May Be AU’s Only Hope for Africa’s Lasting Peace

These historical dynamics continue to shape the present-day conflicts, yet the Congolese government remains reluctant to acknowledge its own role in perpetuating the instability.

For decades, the Banyamulenge—a Tutsi-looking ethnic group with deep historical roots in the Kivu region—have been subjected to systematic discrimination, disenfranchisement, and violence. Successive Congolese governments have refused to acknowledge their full citizenship rights, treating them as foreigners despite their longstanding presence in the region. 

This exclusionary stance has fostered an environment where armed groups such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a remnant of the genocidal forces that fled Rwanda after 1994, continue to commit atrocities against the Banyamulenge with impunity.

Kinshasa’s unwillingness to dismantle these extremist militias is a testament to its selective application of justice and security measures. Rather than dismantling the networks that fuel conflict, the government allows them to persist while using Rwanda as a convenient scapegoat. 

This deflection serves to cover up its own governance failures and lack of political will to create an inclusive national identity that respects all Congolese communities equally.

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DRC has over 130 militia and armed rebel groups operating across the country. Why is that Rwanda’s problem? The reality is that the Congolese state has been unable to exert control over its own territory. 

The government and its partners must strengthen the state institutions, including the national army, which must be inclusive and capable of delivering security and stability. Without a well-trained and impartial military force, peace will remain elusive, and armed groups will continue to exploit governance vacuums.

The current crisis cannot be resolved through propaganda or international sympathy garnered by demonising Rwanda. It requires the DRC government to take ownership of its internal issues and actively work towards sustainable peace. 

This means ensuring that the Banyamulenge are recognised as Congolese citizens with equal rights, dismantling armed groups like the FDLR, and committing to inclusive governance that protects all ethnic groups from persecution.

Additionally, regional mechanisms should be strengthened to de-escalate tensions and foster cooperation rather than conflict. The East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and African Union (AU) must urge the DRC leadership to implement meaningful reforms instead of perpetuating divisive rhetoric that fuels further bloodshed.

The time for excuses is over. DRC must abandon its strategy of scapegoating Rwanda and take full responsibility for the security of its citizens, including the Banyamulenge. Only through genuine political and security reforms can the region hope for lasting peace.

John Kitoka is an independent research consultant and writer on socio-economic and political affairs based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He’s available at kitoka2000@gmail.com. The opinions expressed here are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Chanzo. If you are interested in publishing in this space, please contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com

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6 responses

  1. Dear John, I would like to let you know that Banyamurenge /Tutsi were living in harmony with other different tribes in ZaĂŻre till they joined RPF rebels (Tutsi rebels to change regime in Rwanda). They supported Kagame to genocide Rwandans and other tribes around Rwanda such as RDC from 1990 till now.

    Kagame promised that he would also help them to get power in Zaire/RDC and he helped them win the war in 1997-1998 in RDC, unfortunately Later they lost that power and since then Kagame/Banyamurenge /Tutsi have never given up and they are still trying and that is the war we currently have in RDC to get power and critical minerals.

    1. Makes sense. Before there was peace between the tribes! Suddenly there’s animosity. What changed is the extension of RPF into DRC with some hidden agenda detrimental to the DRC’s integrity as a nation!

    2. Dear Akkerman,
      It is well documented that successive governments in Kinshasa have refused the Banyamulenge community their right to live (and exist) in DRC as rightful citizens of the country, including denationalizing them as citizens of Congo DRC.

      Also, your post is riddled with oversimplifications and inaccuracies that not only distort the historical record but also risk inflaming ethnic tensions. To begin with, the narrative that paints the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and Kagame as orchestrators of genocide and power grabs is misleading and unsupported by the overwhelming evidence that shows the RPF played a crucial role in ending the 1994 genocide.

      Moreover, reducing complex conflicts in the Great Lakes region to a single, conspiratorial motive ignores the multifaceted nature of these struggles—where historical grievances, regional politics, and competition over resources have all played significant roles. To claim that any ethnic group or political leader is solely responsible for decades of conflict is to engage in a dangerous form of historical revisionism.

      Such one-dimensional accounts do a disservice to the victims of past atrocities and to the prospects for genuine reconciliation. It is essential to base our discussions on rigorous scholarship and verified facts, rather than on narratives that seem designed to cast blame and perpetuate divisive stereotypes.

      In short, while critical inquiry is always welcome, but it must be rooted in a balanced and accurate understanding of history—not in inflammatory rhetoric that oversimplifies reality and fuels further discord.

  2. Good Job Mr Job, the peoples of the region lack facts related to the instability in the region. It’s our duty especially you the journalists to educate the public. Otherwise few individuals will continue to benefit from it at the expense of the majority.

  3. Long live, Gen. Paul Kagame. I am one of your die-hard supporters in the stances you take, regarding the DRC crisis. You are open, truthful and clear in your convincing arguments. The DRC government should bear the blame for escalating this crisis.

  4. Congelese refugees in Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Diaspora and Uganda is a political issues to be solved by Kinshasa. They need a national dialogue and a presidential peace decree to all Congolese to be protected y state to come home and build their Country.

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