Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – Unidentified armed men are threatening the civilian population, and in particular those involved in the defense of human rights, in the Ruzizi plains of South Kivu, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This was reported in a statement sent to Fides by ACMEJ (Association Against Evil and for the Supervision of Youth and Human Rights). “We must point out,” the statement reads, “the dangers that human rights defenders face in carrying out their daily work of defending and promoting human rights: they are seriously threatened by unidentified armed men who continually break into their homes looking for them. And when they don’t find them, they murder their brothers instead.”
“The situation is causing deep concern among these people, who no longer know what path to take to ensure their safety.” The report cites the case of “our colleague, Mr. S.B., a human rights defender and facilitator for ACMEJ, who was threatened at his home by armed, masked, and unidentified men because he had led a community awareness session on the fact that national and international laws prohibit the recruitment of minors under 18 into armed groups.” He has been forced to flee his home and live in hiding.
Even more serious is what happened on the night of March 22-23, when unidentified armed men stormed the village of Rubanga, in an area controlled by M23 soldiers and their Rwandan military allies. “The commando attacked two families living on the same property,” the report states. “One of the families was that of Mr. S.B., the other that of his younger brother, Mr. B.P. The attackers forced their way into Mr. B.P.’s house and, after finding him, shot and killed him instantly.” The brother and his family are now forced into hiding.
ACMEJ is working to gather information on those responsible for the intimidation and killings and is calling on “international human rights organizations to help these defenders who are threatened and living in extremely difficult conditions.” The statement also notes that, despite the ceasefire in the area, military clashes continue between M23 guerrillas, supported by Rwandan military forces, and members of the pro-government Wazalendo militia. These clashes have raised fears among the residents of Uvira that the agreements reached last year between the DRC and Rwanda, mediated by the United States, may be undermined. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 14/4/2026)
