Regional
Hate speech and incitement to genocide in D.R. Congo requires urgent response
Without
urgent action there is a very high risk of widespread violence in D.R. Congo
against Kinyarwanda speakers. Violence is not new in DRC, where over 100
militia groups exist, and where the Congolese army, FARDC, has also been
accused of atrocities. Sexual violence and frequent massacres of civilians have
occurred on a vast scale.
Against
this backdrop Kinyarwanda speakers have been characterized negatively in D.R.
Congo for decades, especially in the North and South Kivu Provinces.
Researchers have documented growing hate media on Youtube and other
channels, particularly targeting Congolese Tutsi and other
Kinyarwanda speakers
In
recent weeks the escalation of incitement to violence against Tutsi has taken
on an ominous tone, echoing the hate media of early 1990s Rwanda which
contributed to the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.
This
Anti Tutsi hate is not spontaneous. It has been lingering in eastern DRC since
1994 when large numbers of refugees crossed the border of Rwanda into Congo,
including people who committed the Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda. Recent
years have seen a spike in hate speech targeting the Kinyarwanda speaking
population of the DRC (Banyarwanda and Banyamulenge).
The
phenomenon has intensified within the context of the recent fighting between
the predominantly Tutsi M23 Congolese rebel group which resumed operations
against the Congolese Army in November 2021, leading to displacement of tens of
thousands of civilians. The Government of D.R. Congo accused Rwanda of
supporting M23, which the Government of Rwanda denies. The virulence and
intensity of hate messages amplified by social media platforms raises strong
concerns over safety of the targeted populations and further undermines
peaceful cohabitation between different communities in the country.
In
this clip, Congolese are called upon to take action against Congolese
Tutsi with round-ups, expulsions and killings. These planned and
premeditated actions are scheduled for 25th June. Volunteers are urged to
bring their machetes to the houses of Tutsis.
Early
warnings about identity based discrimination are rapidly becoming late warnings
in D.R. Congo and intervention is therefore required. What can be done?
The
prime responsibility to protect their population rests with the Government of
DRC. Those inciting violence or committing violence must be brought to
account. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet
and UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Nderitu have
encouraged the DRC Parliament to expedite the adoption of a bill on
“racism, xenophobia and tribalism” in order to strengthen the legal framework
to address and counter hate speech. This process and discussion will take
time and so existing mechanisms must be used to prevent DRC tipping into ethnic
cleansing of its Kinyarwanda speaking citizens. Failing to apprehend and
bring those inciting violence to account encourages a climate of impunity, and
then further perpetration.
Reflecting
the urgency of the situation, as Commonwealth Heads of Government were landing
in Kigali, President of Rwanda Paul Kagame flew to Nairobi on 20th June
for a meeting of East African Community (EAC) leaders convened by Kenyan
President Uhuru Kenyatta, including President of D.R. Congo Felix
Tshisekedi. One outcome was an agreement to deploy an EAC regional
force. This must work quickly with the DRC Armed Forces
(FARDC) to stabilize the situation. Noting the false promise of
protection of past peacekeeping operations, assurance must be given that
civilian populations will be protected when rebel groups are disarmed. The
disarmament process should target all armed groups, including the FDLR group,
members of which were involved in committing Genocide against the Tutsi in
Rwanda 28 years ago.
The Tutsi need protection: the Congolese Army and MONUSCO know where to find them – in Uvira and the villages stated in the audio linked above.
It is also vital for effective peacekeeping operations to be accompanied by political processes aimed at building a more inclusive society, addressing the long term drivers of mistrust, hatred and violence.
Source: www.aegistrust.org