#Minembwe #DCProtest #Banyamulenge #Tutsi
Statement by Mahoro Peace Association (MPA)
Denouncing Discriminatory and Dangerous Remarks by Steve Mbikayi
5/1/2026
Mahoro Peace Association expresses its strongest indignation regarding the statements made by Mr. Steve Mbikayi(
@Cartesien243 ), Member of DRC Parliament, during his interview on the Kinshasa Television RDC YouTube channel, hosted by Mr. Marius Muhunga, titled: “Washington, Constitution, war: Steve Mbikayi says what many dare not say.”
Mr. Mbikayi questions the Congolese nationality of members of our association, systematically labels them as “Rwandans,” and claims it is difficult to distinguish a Munyamulenge from a Rwandan. These statements constitute dangerous stigmatization and collective discrimination aimed at delegitimizing the legitimate claims of a Congolese community by portraying it as foreign.
It is precisely against this policy of targeting and harassment that we organized our peaceful march in Washington, D.C. Mr. Mbikayi claims there is confusion between Rwandans and Banyamulenge. There is no confusion. What exists is a long-standing pattern of denial, discrimination, and dehumanization of the Banyamulenge people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Even more alarming is his assertion that the Banyamulenge are “the most privileged.” We ask: what privilege is he referring to?
1. Is it the thousands of Banyamulenge who have been killed over decades simply because of who they are?
2. Is it the more than 450 Banyamulenge villages burned to the ground?
3 Is it the over 500,000 Banyamulenge livestock stolen, destroying entire livelihoods?
4. Is it the hospitals and schools that have been reduced to rubble?
5. Is it the civilians, men, women, and even soldiers, killed, burned, and subjected to unspeakable brutality including cannibalism?
6. Is it the Banyamulenge churches that have been desecrated and destroyed?
7. Is this what Mr. Mbikayi calls “privilege”?
We call it what it is: genocide.
Mr. Mbikayi’s claim that President Tshisekedi was the first to recognize the Banyamulenge as Congolese citizens is equally false and deeply troubling. The Banyamulenge are indigenous to the DRC, their ancestors were born, lived, and are buried there. Their citizenship is enshrined in the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo long before the current administration. Their identity is not a political concession, it is an inherent and constitutional right
We regret that the government in Kinshasa continues, through its representatives, to instrumentalize this discriminatory rhetoric in an attempt to discredit our actions.
We call on the U.S. senators and members of Congress whom Mr. Mbikayi plans to meet including
@RepJoeWilson to be misled by such conflations, and instead to prioritize constructive dialogue based on facts.
We respectfully call on Mr. Marius Muhunga (
@MariusMuhunga) to grant Mahoro Peace Association a right of reply in order to restore the truth and present our perspective.
Respectfully submitted,
Douglas G. Kabunda,
President, Mahoro Peace Association (MPA)
@SecRubio,
@US_SrAdvisorAF,
@USAmbUN @SenatorRisch @RepJoeWilson @senatefrc @HouseForeignGOP @RepBrianMast @RepRonnyJackson @RepSaraJacobs @ChrisVanHollen @SenTedCruz @SenOssoff
@SenGillibrand @MarshaBlackburn @SenatorHeinrich
@BasedMikeLee @StephenM @IsokoUSA @DougGasore @JulianPecquet @koulibavvvvl
@MariusMuhunga