After seven years of siege, destruction, and unimaginable suffering, the Banyamulenge of Minembwe and the High Plateaus of the Democratic Republic of Congo can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The infamous FARDC brigade, in collaboration with their Mai-Mai (Wazalendo) auxiliaries, has withdrawn from the region, marking February 21, 2025, as a historic day of liberation for the people of Minembwe.
For nearly a decade, the Banyamulenge community endured relentless attacks and systematic oppression:
- Over 90% of their villages were reduced to ruins through deliberate destruction.
- Estimated 500,000 cattle, the community’s primary source of livelihood, were looted.
- Thousands of innocent Banyamulenge civilians were massacred in targeted killings.
- The remaining villages were turned into besieged concentration camps, where no humanitarian assistance could reach the victims.
- The FARDC, Mai-Mai, and Red Tabara coalition carried out ruthless manhunts against the Banyamulenge people.
- Indiscriminate bombardments ravaged villages across the High Plateaus, especially in Minembwe.
- Thousands of young Banyamulenge were arbitrarily arrested and deported to prisons in Kinshasa.
- Hate speech and incitement to violence against the Banyamulenge were rampant.
- The government’s actions were widely seen as attempts at ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of the Banyamulenge people.
- Human rights organizations remained silent and complicit in the face of this ongoing tragedy
Despite these atrocities, the Banyamulenge remained steadfast. Young warriors under the Twirwaneho resistance movement fought valiantly, while families clung to resilience amid the dire circumstances. Their unwavering determination has now borne fruit.
On February 21, 2025, the FARDC brigade and their Mai-Mai allies abandoned their bases and permanently withdrew from Minembwe. This long-awaited departure signals the  end of a reign of terror and the beginning of a new chapter  for the Banyamulenge.
The streets of Minembwe are now filled with jubilation as men, women, and children rejoice in their newfound freedom. No longer confined by fear, they can finally move freely, rebuild their communities, and reclaim their dignity.
This victory is not merely a military or political achievement; it is a testament to the resilience of the Banyamulenge people. After years of suffering, the High Plateaus of Minembwe can once again embrace peace, prosperity, and the promise of a brighter future.
As the sun of liberty rises over Minembwe, the once-devastated villages stand poised to restore their former beauty, and a people long oppressed can now hold their heads high, knowing they have triumphed against all odds.
