The Banyamulenge communities from the high and middle plateaus of South Kivu particularly those in Minembwe have called for the immediate withdrawal of Burundian armed forces stationed in the region.
During a peaceful demonstration held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 , residents accused Burundian troops of imposing a systematic siege that has cut off all supply routes for essential goods, worsening the already dire living conditions faced by local populations.
According to the demonstrators, the Burundian soldiers have reportedly occupied and converted civilian farmlands , especially those belonging to Banyamulenge residents, into military positions resulting in the large-scale destruction of crops and further deepening the humanitarian crisis.
“The people of Minembwe are now living in fear and scarcity,” one community member told reporters. “We can no longer access basic necessities such as food, medicine, salt, sugar, soap, or even school supplies for our children.”
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Residents also claim that drone bombardments launched from Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital , have recently targeted parts of Minembwe, heightening insecurity and despair among civilians.
The protest comes amid growing frustration within the Banyamulenge community following a recent appearance on RTNC , where a small group of Banyamulenge allegedly recruited by Kinshasa defended the presence of Burundian forces, arguing that they were deployed to “protect” the population. Local leaders strongly rejected this narrative, describing it as a manipulative attempt to conceal the suffering endured by the residents.
The Banyamulenge community has reiterated its firm demand for the complete withdrawal of Burundian forces from the high and middle plateaus of South Kivu, particularly from Minembwe where they say the foreign troops have surrounded the area and blocked all access to vital supplies.
