In a press release issued on January 24, the group warned of what it described as an imminent and dangerous military escalation in the high plateaus of Fizi, Itombwe, and Uvira, with Minembwe identified as the main objective of the alleged offensive.
According to MRDP-Twiranweno, Burundian troops have been actively redeployed inside Congolese territory and are operating jointly with FARDC units in preparation for attacks on Banyamulenge villages.
The group said it possesses credible information indicating that FDNB units have been heavily deployed in the Mutambala area, particularly in the villages of Kichula, Itota, and Kananda. From these locations, the forces are allegedly planning coordinated ground operations toward Minembwe.
MRDP-Twiranweno says the military build-up poses a serious and immediate threat to civilians and forms part of what it characterises as a deliberate plan to forcibly uproot the Banyamulenge population from the high plateaus.
The reported escalation follows the recent withdrawal of AFC/M23 forces from the city of Uvira, a pullout that was, according to MRDP-Twiranweno, conditioned on the deployment of a neutral force to secure the area.
The group alleges that this condition was not respected, creating a security vacuum that was subsequently filled by FARDC and Wazalendo fighters. It further accuses Burundian forces of entering through the Gatumba border post and operating in Congolese military uniforms to conceal their involvement.
MRDP-Twiranweno reports that by Friday, January 23, joint forces had carried out ground attacks against the villages of Rugezi and Mukoko.
The group also accuses the FARDC of conducting drone bombardments on civilian areas. According to the statement, drone strikes on Friday afternoon injured four civilians in Gakenke, further worsening what the group describes as an already severe humanitarian situation.
'These attacks on populated areas constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law,' said Colonel Kamasa Ndakize Welcome, the group's coordinator, warning of escalating civilian harm and displacement.
The movement strongly condemned what it termed a 'joint aggression' and said it holds the governments of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo fully responsible for any attack against Minembwe and for any further civilian casualties.
The group also criticised what it described as the silence and inaction of regional and international peace actors, accusing them of enabling violence against civilians and failing to prevent the destruction and looting of Banyamulenge homes, churches, and NGO infrastructure, particularly in Uvira.
In the statement, MRDP-Twiranweno reaffirmed its determination to defend the Banyamulenge population and their property in the face of what it called an existential threat.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
