General Rukunda Michel, known as Makanika, passed away on 19.02.2025, leaving behind a legacy of courage and resilience. His powerful words continue to resonate with those who followed his journey.
His statement, “A hero never truly dies,” reflects the resilience and sacrifice he embodied.
When asked about the path he took to protect the Banyamulenge people, who were being massacred daily, he responded with a short but profound statement: “A child going home does not need a flashlight.” These words encapsulate his belief that defending his people was not a choice but an obligation, deeply rooted in his identity and purpose.
Makanika’s commitment to justice and the protection of his people led him to leave behind everything—his family, his wife and children, his career, and his status—to fight for those who had no other means of defense. His words and actions reflect unparalleled bravery, a selfless dedication to liberating the oppressed from the chains of death.
His philosophy is evident in his statements. He once said, “Peace comes from the blood of those who seek freedom.” This stark reality defined his struggle, where survival itself was a battle. When questioned about the Twirwaneho movement, he remarked, “Being called Twirwaneho is not a source of pride; we simply have no other choice.”
When asked about those who distort the truth regarding the war in the mountains of Mulenge, he responded with a prophetic statement: “Sooner or later, you will see. The truth will prevail over lies.”
In moments of hardship, he reminded his comrades, “Anything valuable comes at a cost. We must willingly pay that price.” At the funeral of young warriors who had fallen in battle, he consoled his people by saying, “The death of a hero is not sorrow, but the price of survival for our people, for those alive today, and for generations to come.”
Addressing the broader struggle for peace, Makanika declared, “The peace we seek will not be handed to us; prepare for hardship.” He also affirmed his unwavering dedication to his land, stating, “This land where we shed our blood is our birthplace, it is our mother.”
When a journalist called him a hero, he humbly responded, “We do not see ourselves as heroes, only as those whose hearts are moved by the injustice inflicted upon us.”
Makanika’s comrade, General Elias Rukunda, reinforced this belief, stating, “This fight for liberation will continue until the very last drop of our blood is shed.” When asked why he abandoned a well-paying military job, Elias responded, “How could I stand by while my people were being slaughtered?”
Makanika emphasized that their survival would depend on both divine intervention and their own strength, saying, “Our survival will come from God and our own hands.” He urged even the wounded to stand and fight, declaring, “Even those with one leg must rise, for we have reached the moment of victory.”
His vision of a future uprising was clear: “Today we fight for ourselves, but a day will come when we will rise with the fury of a lioness robbed of her cubs.”
Addressing the injustice they faced, he declared, “We are persecuted for being who we are. We have harmed no one. We will live, we will stand by the truth, and we will not beg for our right to exist.”
Makanika believed that the road to liberation required sacrifices: “The deaths of patriots should not instill fear. Lies cannot defeat the truth. Anything valuable demands a price, and that price is our blood.”
Encouraging his followers to persist, he said, “The deaths on the battlefield should not make you retreat. Wherever you are, you must continue from where they left off.”
His final message emphasized endurance and duty: “I have awakened you; continue this mission, and never betray the covenant.”
On February 19, 2025, General Rukunda Michel, widely known as Makanika, was reportedly killed in a drone strike conducted by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in the Fizi territory of South Kivu. This operation targeted the leadership of the Twirwaneho militia, which Makanika commanded.
Prior to leading Twirwaneho, Makanika served as a colonel in the FARDC. He defected in January 2020 to lead the militia, which claimed to protect the Banyamulenge community but was implicated in recruiting child soldiers and attacking civilians.
The Twirwaneho group confirmed Makanika’s death, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
These words, spoken by General Michel Rukunda Makanika, carry the weight of a man who gave everything for his people. Though we may never capture their full depth, they were compiled by CEO-OFFICER JEAN DE DIEU as a testament to a leader who sought freedom, justice, and survival for his community.
