Rutshuru, Democratic Republic of Congo – April 24, 2026 – In a powerful address to more than 550 elders and pastors from Rutshuru territory, Colonel Kazarama Vianney, former spokesperson of the M23 Movement, delivered a message of reconciliation while urging local communities to support efforts against dictatorship, ethnic violence, and the persistent threat of FDLR militias.
Colonel Kazarama began by recalling the roots of ethnic conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He reminded the audience how the so-called Kanyarwanda events erupted in 1964, when hundreds of Tutsi and Hutu from Masisi were killed on the orders of the then-Governor Denis Paluku. He also spoke of the persecution of the Banyarwanda community in Walikale, where approximately 3,000 people were killed, including Priest Ndianabo from Busanza. The Colonel further referenced the 1990 expulsion of Hutu and Tutsi representatives from the Congo National Parliament Assembly, as well as the 1996 killings and displacement of Banyamulenge communities in South Kivu.
Turning to the present security situation, Colonel Kazarama called on the elders and pastors to mobilize the population of Rutshuru to denounce the whereabouts of FDLR militias and those collaborating with them. He described the FDLR fighters as Rwandan nationals who should lay down their arms and return home.
“Most FDLR who have already returned to their country are now prosperous and doing business,” he said. “Those who are still hiding in Virunga National Park must return to Rwanda, where they will be warmly welcomed and integrated into society.”
The Chief Administrator of Rutshuru, Mr. Kabasha Ephrem, who attended the meeting, echoed the call and urged the elders to support local efforts against the FDLR.
Colonel Kazarama then appealed to the four main communities of Rutshuru — Hutu, Tutsi, Nande, and Hunde — to live in harmony, work together as one, and leave the past behind. He warned against politicians from Kinshasa who visit the region and use tribal rhetoric to divide communities.
“This is the time to unite and build Rutshuru,” he declared.
Shifting focus to governance and the economy, Colonel Kazarama sharply criticized the Kinshasa government for what he described as the destruction of Congo’s once-thriving economy. He reminded the audience that in the 1970s, Congo’s economy was on par with South Africa’s, boasting numerous factories and industrial capacity. Today, he said, those industries have collapsed, and the country imports nearly all its food.
To illustrate his point, he invited the audience to observe the daily reality at the borders:
“Look at all the trucks bringing goods into Goma and Bukavu from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda,” he said. “They arrive fully loaded with food and other products, but they return empty. That means they sell to us and take our money, because we have nothing to offer them in return.”
He concluded by calling for a serious national effort to fight corruption, establish good governance, and rebuild the country.
“It is now time to be serious: fight corruption, put in place a good administration, and rebuild Congo,” Colonel Kazarama said. “Trust us. Trust your leaders. We will make sure to bring the change this country needs.”
The gathering is being viewed locally as a significant attempt to bridge historical divides and foster community cooperation in a region long affected by conflict and instability. Many participants expressed hope that the message of unity and accountability would gain traction among the wider population of Rutshuru.
KEN R
