Enock Sebineza, the President of the Banyamulenge community, has delivered one of the strongest public denunciations on interview @rtncofficielle1 yet of Rwanda and the M23, accusing them of using his community as a cover for occupation, looting, and long-term destabilisation in eastern DR Congo.
His message is clear: the Banyamulenge are Congolese, and they refuse to be used as a political weapon.
THEY WANTED TO CREATE CHAOS IN UVIRA
Sebineza says the withdrawal of M23 from Uvira should not be mistaken for goodwill.
According to him, the group entered the city with one objective: create disorder, spark violence, and produce a crisis that could be blamed on Congolese communities.
He admits that looting and tensions followed, but insists their bigger plan failed.
"THEY DID NOT ACHIEVE THEIR OBJECTIVES," HE SAID
“We Have Been Denouncing Rwanda’s Plan for 30 Years”
In a direct rejection of Kigali’s propaganda, Sebineza says Rwanda’s presence in Congo has never been about protecting Banyamulenge civilians.
He reminded the public that Banyamulenge leaders have warned about Rwanda’s manipulation for three decades, including since the 1996 wars.
JUSTICE & CRIME
"Rwanda Is Not Protecting Us, It Is Exploiting Us.” Enock Sebineza
Jan 22, 2026
May 15, 2026
5 min read
Published
Updated:
Enock Sebineza, the President of the Banyamulenge community, has delivered one of the strongest public denunciations on interview @rtncofficielle1 yet of Rwanda and the M23, accusing them of using his community as a cover for occupation, looting, and long-term destabilisation in eastern DR Congo.
His message is clear: the Banyamulenge are Congolese, and they refuse to be used as a political weapon.
THEY WANTED TO CREATE CHAOS IN UVIRA
Sebineza says the withdrawal of M23 from Uvira should not be mistaken for goodwill.
According to him, the group entered the city with one objective: create disorder, spark violence, and produce a crisis that could be blamed on Congolese communities.
He admits that looting and tensions followed, but insists their bigger plan failed.
"THEY DID NOT ACHIEVE THEIR OBJECTIVES," HE SAID
“We Have Been Denouncing Rwanda’s Plan for 30 Years”
In a direct rejection of Kigali’s propaganda, Sebineza says Rwanda’s presence in Congo has never been about protecting Banyamulenge civilians.
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He reminded the public that Banyamulenge leaders have warned about Rwanda’s manipulation for three decades, including since the 1996 wars.
“Rwanda comes for its own interests, to plunder Congo’s resources,” he said. “And to push us, the Banyamulenge, out of Congo.”
THE DEPORTATION PLAN IS REAL
Sebineza confirmed that what happened in Uvira follows a long-standing pattern: intimidation, forced movement, and staged “protection” narratives.
He accused M23 of leaving Uvira while taking part of the Banyamulenge population with them, not as a rescue, but as forced displacement.
Some reportedly refused to leave. Others were pressured or compelled.
“They want to deport us and take us to Rwanda,” he warned. “But we continue to resist.”
RWANDA PLAYS BOTH ARSONIST AND FIREFIGHTER
Sebineza used one of the most powerful descriptions in the interview: Rwanda creates conflict, and then presents itself as the solution.
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He says local disputes in eastern Congo do exist, but Rwanda exploits them deliberately.
“They pour petrol on the fire,” he said, “then pretend to come as firefighters.”
This is why he urges all Congolese communities not to fall into ethnic traps.
“We must not give in to Rwanda’s pressure,” he said. “So we don’t end up killing each other.”
THIS WITHDRAWAL IS NOT PEACE, IT IS DIPLOMATIC THEATER
Sebineza strongly rejected claims that M23’s pullback from Uvira represents appeasement.
He insists Rwanda cannot act in good faith and that its forces remain dangerously close, repositioned for future operations.
He stated that instead of returning to where they came from (Kamanyola/Katogota axis), they have restructured their presence and continued occupying strategic highlands.
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“They are not far. They are still there,” he said.
WE ARE THE TRIPLE VICTIMS
Sebineza described the Banyamulenge as trapped inside a brutal triangle:
Rwanda uses them as an excuse; M23 acts in their name, and civilians suffer the backlash.
“Rwanda exploits us,” he said. “We are Congolese, and like all other Congolese, we are victims too.”
"The Congolese government has a plan. We support peaceful coexistence."
He confirmed he has engaged Congolese authorities in Kinshasa and welcomed the government’s security plan to stabilise Uvira.
He acknowledged the looting and chaos that followed the withdrawal, but thanked God that the city did not descend into mass killings.
“They prepared chaos that could lead to murder,” he said. “But thank God, there were no deaths.”
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