Eastern Congo Tribune

Eastern Congo Tribune is an independent news and analysis publication covering the Eastern Congo, African Great Lakes region, and the African political developments. Eastern Congo Tribune was founded in 2013 by Delphin R. Ntanyoma, a Congolese PhD researcher and currently visiting fellow at the University of Leeds and the editor. The platform advocates for #Justice4All in #DRC.

The Eastern Congo Conflicts & the record of Unsucceful militarized solutions

Felipe Antonio Honorato and Guilherme Silva Pires de Freitas* argue that long-lasting stability involves transformation in social structures that generate complaints and dissatisfaction that promote the rise of non-state armed groups.  

  1. Introduction

         The rebel group March 23 (M23), which operates in the Eastern region of the Republic Democratic of the Congo (DRC/ DR Congo) has resumed its attacks and expanded its area of penetration since early October 2023 after almost ten years of inactivity.… Read the rest “The Eastern Congo Conflicts & the record of Unsucceful militarized solutions”

Mort de Karine Buisset & Enquête pour Crime de Guerre : Interview exclusif avec Me Mike Hodari

Pour comprendre l’orientation de l’enquête criminelle intentée simultanément par la France et la RDC, une enquête sur de la mort de Karine Buisset. Une travailleuse humanitaire française engagée auprès de l’UNICEF pour aider les populations civiles touchées par les conflits, basée à Goma depuis quelque temps, elle a été tuée à l’aube du 11 mars 2026. … Read the rest “Mort de Karine Buisset & Enquête pour Crime de Guerre : Interview exclusif avec Me Mike Hodari”

Drones’ warfare in Eastern Congo Has moved where Cameras don’t Go

On the 11th of March 2026, drone strikes hit the city of Goma, the first reported drone strike in the city since it fell under AFC/M23 control in 2025. The strike happened in unclear circumstances (requiring further independent investigation) and killed at least three people, including Karine Buisset, a French citizen working for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).… Read the rest “Drones’ warfare in Eastern Congo Has moved where Cameras don’t Go”

Willy Ngoma ou Sultani Makenga ? Fin de rebellions au Nord Kivu

Il est de plus en plus confirmé que le Colonel Willy Ngoma a laissé sa vie dans les attaques des drones survenues dans la nuit du 23-24/02/2026 à Rubaya, territoire de Masisi, au Nord-Kivu. Le Colonel Willy Ngoma, le porte-parole de la rébellion du Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23).… Read the rest “Willy Ngoma ou Sultani Makenga ? Fin de rebellions au Nord Kivu”

RDC: Archives Coloniales détiennent la clé de la paix au Sud-Kivu

Devant la persistance du climat de contestation du groupement de Bijombo et de la commune rurale de Minembwe ainsi que l’usage des armes, j’ai écrit au Président Felix Tshisekedi en date du 29 octobre 2019. Dans cette lettre, j’avais proposé la mise en place d’une commission indépendante composée d’experts nationaux et expatriés pour examiner la question des chefferies traditionnelles en territoire de Fizi, Mwenga et Uvira.… Read the rest “RDC: Archives Coloniales détiennent la clé de la paix au Sud-Kivu”

Est du Congo : nouveau cessez-le-feu face à une guerre qui s’enlise

En date du 18/02/2026, à 12 h, un nouveau cessez-le-feu est entré en vigueur en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), porté par la médiation angolaise. Sur le terrain, les combats se poursuivent et la méfiance domine. Les revendications des deux parties, AFC/M23 et autorités congolaises, semblent aujourd’hui irréconciliables.… Read the rest “Est du Congo : nouveau cessez-le-feu face à une guerre qui s’enlise”

Bataille Médiatique : En quoi « Point Zero » au Sud-Kivu est Stratégique?

Il y a presque un mois que la localité « Point Zero » ou Point kilomètre Zero s’est fait entendre dans les réseaux sociaux comme une localité stratégique pour la bataille entre belligérants au Sud-Kivu. Point Zero n’est pas stratégique pour eux qui veulent contrôler (conserver ou s’emparer) le pouvoir à Kinshasa.… Read the rest “Bataille Médiatique : En quoi « Point Zero » au Sud-Kivu est Stratégique?”

Banyamulenge need physical protection, equal citizenship, and dignity

An Open Letter to Christopher Smith

Dear Congressman Smith,

For approximately four consecutive years, the United States Senate has called on the State Department to prioritise the protection of the Banyamulenge and to address their situation as an urgent human rights concern.… Read the rest “Banyamulenge need physical protection, equal citizenship, and dignity”

Erik Prince’s Blackwater in DRC: Drones, Mercenaries, and the War in Minembwe (2026)

Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater private military contractor, linked to drone operations in DRC

The conflict in eastern DRC’s Minembwe highlands has reached a critical new phase, marked by fragmented armed confrontations, regional proxy dynamics, and the growing deployment of drones and sophisticated military technology. Reports and social media posts have fuelled speculation that the Congolese government is now relying on contractors linked to Erik Prince — the founder of the private security firm formerly known as Blackwater — to bolster its military operations against armed groups including M23 and Twirwaneho.… Read the rest “Erik Prince’s Blackwater in DRC: Drones, Mercenaries, and the War in Minembwe (2026)”

DRC: Reuters and the Underreporting of Violence in Minembwe, South Kivu

When Reuters published its February 2026 report on intensifying clashes in eastern DRC, it told only part of the story — focusing on military dynamics and the strained hospital in Fizi while leaving almost entirely invisible the humanitarian blockade, civilian killings, and ethnic targeting that have devastated the Banyamulenge community in Minembwe since 2017.… Read the rest “DRC: Reuters and the Underreporting of Violence in Minembwe, South Kivu”

Le HCR Discrimine-t-il la Communauté Congolaise Barundi au Burundi ?

En juin 2025, les représentants de la communauté congolaise Barundi, réfugiés au Burundi ont écrit (lettre ouverte dont nous avons reçu la copie) au Président Evariste Ndayishimiye pour dénoncer le traitement auquel ils font face vis-à-vis du Haut-Commissariat pour les Réfugiés (HCR).… Read the rest “Le HCR Discrimine-t-il la Communauté Congolaise Barundi au Burundi ?”

“Forces Spéciales” RDF capturées à Minembwe ?

Depuis plusieurs semaines, les affrontements militaires opposent les Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC), alliées aux Wazalendo et forces de Défense Nationale du Burundi (FDNB) et l’aile militaire du Mouvement Républicain pour la Dignité des Peuples (MRDP), anciennement Twirwaneho.… Read the rest ““Forces Spéciales” RDF capturées à Minembwe ?”

Why Linking the Banyamulenge to M23 Is Dangerous — and Wrong

In January 2026, a U.S. Congressional hearing on peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda briefly shone a spotlight on the Banyamulenge — a Congolese Tutsi minority community in South Kivu that has endured years of violence, displacement, and international neglect.… Read the rest “Why Linking the Banyamulenge to M23 Is Dangerous — and Wrong”

DRC and Rwanda Peace: US Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee Hearing

On January 22, 2026, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee held a hearing in Washington, D.C., titled “Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda through President Trump’s Washington Accords.” The hearing chaired by the New Jersey Republican Rep. Chris Smith has  focused on how the US oversees and implements the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.… Read the rest “DRC and Rwanda Peace: US Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee Hearing”

M23 withdrawal in Uvira: Why were Banyamulenge Homes Destroyed?

On January 17, 2026, M23 (Mouvement du 23 Mars) announced to withdraw its military forces (observation and monitoring units) from Uvira city. As parts of its military campaigns in the Eastern Democratic republic of Congo, M23 captured Uvira city on December 10, 2025, pretending to, among other things, protect the persecuted Banyamulenge.… Read the rest “M23 withdrawal in Uvira: Why were Banyamulenge Homes Destroyed?”

Uvira : Trois Exigences pour la “force neutre”

Une force neutre dans la partie sud du Sud-Kivu doit remplir les exigences suivantes : primo, elle doit rassurer en termes sécuritaires tous les Etats de la région et ceux en confrontations dont la République Démocratique du Congo, le Burundi et le Rwanda, à une certaine mesure l’Uganda et la Tanzanie.… Read the rest “Uvira : Trois Exigences pour la “force neutre””

Banyamulenge Persecution: Rwanda’s Ambassador Confronts the UN Security Council

At a UN Security Council briefing following the fall of Uvira in December 2025, Rwandan Ambassador Martin Ngoga broke years of official silence to publicly document the systematic persecution of the Banyamulenge in South Kivu — from the destruction of over 85% of their villages to killings and forced displacement amounting to what he called “ethnic cleansing”.… Read the rest “Banyamulenge Persecution: Rwanda’s Ambassador Confronts the UN Security Council”

Qui est Teddy Mazina, Hôte de Mr Moïse Nyarugabo ?

Teddy Mazina n’exige plus de preuves de la persécution de Banyamulenge ? N’est-il pas sympathisant de MaiMai et Biloze-Bishambuke, défenseur de crimes commis par le Red-Tabara ? Teddy Mazina n’est-il pas négationniste de l’idéologie qui élimine et tue le Banyamulenge au Sud-Kivu ?… Read the rest “Qui est Teddy Mazina, Hôte de Mr Moïse Nyarugabo ?”

Can the DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal Bring Lasting Stability?

Signing of the Doha framework agreement between DRC and AFC/M23, November 2025

Despite the landmark Washington-brokered peace accord signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in June 2025, followed by the Doha framework agreement with rebel group AFC/M23 in November 2025, lasting stability in eastern Congo remains fragile. Two critical gaps threaten to undermine the process: the exclusion of local community voices — particularly the protection of ethnic minorities facing existential threats — and unresolved regional rivalries among the DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi that continue to fuel military confrontation.… Read the rest “Can the DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal Bring Lasting Stability?”

Rwandan Media Bullying Banyamulenge diaspora: Transnational Repression?

  1. Igihe Media Outlet: Harassment of Beatrice Gisaro 

Beatrice Gisaro is the daughter of the late Gisaro Muhoza Frederic, the first member of the Banyamulenge community to be elected and serve as a member of the Zairean Parliament. Though members of his community are still contested, Gisaro Muhoza’s legacy shapes Banyamulenge’s political and military elite and played an important role building community’s identity as Congolese.… Read the rest “Rwandan Media Bullying Banyamulenge diaspora: Transnational Repression?”

×