Patrick Bagabo

Believer. — Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business School, Forbes: Human Rights/Politics/Business 🇺🇸 - Advisor & Senior Executive

[Patrick Bagabo @patrick_bagabo]

Ce fut un honneur de conduire la délégation des représentants Banyamulenge reçue par le Président de la République, Félix Tshisekedi, lors de sa visite de travail à Washington le 5 février 2026.

Notre message était clair et responsable : nous défendons la paix, la cohésion nationale et la souveraineté de la République Démocratique du Congo. En tant que citoyens congolais engagés pour la stabilité et l’avenir de notre pays, nous avons voulu affirmer que notre destin est indissociable de l’unité et du progrès de la nation — et non de la division, de la violence ou d’agendas extérieurs.

Nous avons exprimé notre soutien aux efforts diplomatiques visant à mettre fin au conflit dans l’Est et avons souligné que l’instrumentalisation de notre communauté à des fins de guerre ou de manipulation politique ne reflète pas les aspirations des civils ordinaires. Nos familles veulent la sécurité, la dignité et la possibilité de contribuer au développement du Congo comme tout autre citoyen.

Nous avons apprécié les encouragements du Président à œuvrer pour la cohésion nationale et l’avenir du pays. Cet appel est particulièrement important pour notre génération. La paix ne viendra pas seulement d’accords entre États, mais aussi de citoyens qui choisissent l’unité plutôt que la fragmentation.

Nous restons engagés, en tant que membres de la diaspora, à être des bâtisseurs de ponts — entre les communautés, entre le Congo et ses partenaires, et entre les défis d’aujourd’hui et les opportunités de demain.

[Présidence RDC 🇨🇩 @Presidence_RDC]

Le Président de la République, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, a reçu une délégation de jeunes issus de la communauté Banyamulenge, à l'occasion de sa visite de travail à Washington aux États-Unis d'Amérique.

Ces jeunes ont exprimé leur soutien aux efforts diplomatiques et aux actions menés par le chef de l’Etat en faveur d'une paix durable dans l’Est de la RDC. Ils ont également dénoncé l'agression rwandaise et l'occupation illicite de leurs terres ainsi que l'instrumentalisation de leur communauté à des fins bellicistes.

Le Chef de l’État a salué leur engagement et les a encouragés à œuvrer pour la cohésion nationale et l’avenir du pays.

[Patrick Bagabo @patrick_bagabo]

We strongly condemn the reported forced recruitment, arbitrary detention, and abuse of thousands of civilians and former soldiers in eastern DRC by Rwanda and the M23.

These actions violate fundamental human rights, deepen the humanitarian crisis, and undermine ongoing peace efforts.

We urge the international community, the United Nations, the United States, and regional leaders to demand an immediate end to these abuses, secure the release of those unlawfully detained, and hold all perpetrators accountable.

The people of eastern Congo deserve peace, security, and dignity—not violence and coercion. #DRC #Congo #HumanRights #Peace

@SecRubio @marcorubio @WhiteHouse @Paula_White @US_SrAdvisorAF @StateDept @SenTedCruz @SenatorRisch @SenateForeign @HouseForeignGOP

[Patrick Bagabo @patrick_bagabo]

@futebol_info @grok Why was he denied entry?

[Patrick Bagabo @patrick_bagabo]

We urge the @WhiteHouse, the @StateDept, and the @DeptofWar to use every diplomatic, economic, and security tool available to secure the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from eastern DRC and to press AFC/M23 to lay down their arms. Continued conflict has brought immense suffering to civilians, undermined regional stability, and jeopardized the successful implementation of the Washington Peace Accords.

We further urge all parties to prioritize the restoration of security for Banyamulenge communities in Minembwe and surrounding areas, ensure the protection of all civilians, and enable the safe return of displaced families. The people of eastern Congo deserve peace, security, justice, and the opportunity to rebuild their communities. #DRC #PeaceInDRC #WashingtonAccords #Minembwe

[USA en Français @USAenFrancais]

🇨🇩🇷🇼 « En ce qui concerne la RDC et le Rwanda, ils ont signé un accord de paix. Malheureusement, celui-ci n’est pas bien respecté. Nous avons dû imposer quelques sanctions. Du côté rwandais, nous commençons à observer un certain respect de l’accord. Les choses avancent – pas assez vite, certes, mais nous espérons que le retrait des troupes rwandaises de la région sera effectif d’ici le milieu du mois prochain. Bien sûr, il reste le problème du M23 à régler. » - Le @SecRubio à la commission des Affaires étrangères de la Chambre des représentants des États-Unis

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee @SFRCdems]

“Conflict in DRC has made life a nightmare for those living there. And with the outbreak of Ebola, it has severe consequences for the health and safety of the entire region. @StateDept must continue to hold those contributing to the instability accountable.” -@SenatorShaheen

[US Africa Media Hub @AfricaMediaHub]

The U.S. is taking further action to address threats to stability and prosperity in eastern DRC by sanctioning senior commanders of two armed groups the U.S. previously designated, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23).

Read more⬇️

https://t.co/8W3JdlI0gH

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

I’m pleased to see continued sanctions targeting armed groups and their leaders operating in Eastern DRC and perpetuating the conflict there with no regard for the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity. The outbreak of Ebola in Eastern DRC highlights that the conflict and insurgency in central Africa have dire impacts for the Congolese people and the rest of the world.
https://t.co/J3e3rCrPKv

[Patrick Bagabo @patrick_bagabo]

I commend the U.S. Treasury for sanctioning both the FDLR and M23, two armed groups that have fueled instability, violence, and human suffering in eastern DRC for far too long. Accountability is essential for lasting peace, regional stability, and the protection of civilians. The people of eastern Congo deserve security, dignity, and a future free from conflict. And we’ve found a partner in the U.S. government.

[Tommy Pigott @statedeptspox]

Today, the United States is taking further action to address threats to stability and prosperity in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by sanctioning senior commanders of two armed groups the United States previously designated, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement.

The Trump Administration is firmly committed to ensuring all parties uphold their commitments under the historic Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity and Doha Framework and will continue using all available tools to advance lasting stability in the region.

[Bureau of African Affairs @AsstSecStateAF]

The Bureau of African Affairs is pleased to welcome Frank Garcia as our new Assistant Secretary! He brings deep expertise on Africa and looks forward to advancing the Trump Administration’s commercial diplomacy objectives and mutually beneficial partnerships for the American people and peoples of Sub-Saharan Africa. 🎉

[Dr. J. Peter Pham 🇺🇲 @DrJPPham]

The #DRC🇨🇩 has added #Tantalum, #Niobium, #Tungsten, #Uranium & #REEs to the list of strategic minerals (#Cobalt, #Germanium & #Coltan were previously designated) subject to a 10% royalty designed so Congo captures more from its most in-demand resources.
https://t.co/E6Zs2keMaj

[Emmanuel Macron @EmmanuelMacron]

Je me suis entretenu hier avec le Président de la République démocratique du Congo, Félix Tshisekedi.

Nous avons échangé sur la situation sanitaire dans l’Est de son pays, dans le contexte de l'épidémie de maladie à virus Ebola. Nous avons réaffirmé notre volonté d’apporter une réponse coordonnée à cette crise sanitaire.

Nous avons par ailleurs confirmé notre ambition de renforcer le partenariat entre nos deux pays en particulier sur le plan économique avec l’appui de notre secteur privé.

Enfin, nous avons échangé sur la situation dans l’Est de la RDC. La France soutient les efforts de paix en cours pour permettre le rétablissement de la souveraineté pleine et entière de la RDC sur l’ensemble de son territoire.

[Michael J. Kavanagh @mjkcongo]

Congo’s lithium miners could soon be required to triple royalty payments (3.5% -> 10%) after gov't approved inclusion of several metals to its list of strategic minerals (also tantalum, niobium, tungsten, uranium & rare earths). No word from Zijin yet https://t.co/hqn7fC7oYj

[Kongolo @kongolo3]

Le gvrmt de Kigali continue de manipuler certains Banyamulenge ainsi que des acteurs rwandais et burundais à travers le monde pour organiser des manifestations hostiles contre la RDC et le Burundi, afin de justifier son ingérence dans l’est de la RDC. @SecRubio @US_SrAdvisorAF

[USForeignAssist @USForeignAssist]

The United States has approved an additional $80 million for the Ebola outbreak response. This will help procure and deliver additional PPE for healthcare workers in high-risk areas; enhance border screenings and surveillance at key points of entry; expand contact tracing to identify and diagnose individuals as early as possible; and procure diagnostic supplies including test kits.

[International Republican Institute @IRIglobal]

Strengthening governance in the DRC’s critical minerals sector is key to boosting U.S. investment & pushing back against the Chinese Communist Party’s economic coercion & opaque investment practices in Africa. Our new issue brief outlines existing governance challenges & offers practical steps to overcome them: https://t.co/mTP8yp7Fgt

[Patrick Bagabo @patrick_bagabo]

@InnocentNtezi1 As someone from the region who understands both the context and the language used by @kongolo3, I do not believe he said what is being translated or implied here by you. He specifically referred to Twirwaneho, an armed group that has declared war against the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kongolo works for the President and serves the government that the President appointed, so what exactly did people expect him to say? Were they expecting him to speak on behalf of Twirwaneho or defend a force fighting against the state?

At the same time, a justifiable attack on armed actors who have taken our people hostage should never be weaponized to fuel more conflict, more hate, and quit honestly, frame a collective punishment against civilians or entire communities accused of siding with the enemy of their own country. If there are credible allegations of attacks deliberately targeting civilians in the High Plateaus, not those fake ones we've see here targeting enemies of state, they should be independently investigated and addressed under international law.

@KarimKhanQC @antonioguterres @UNOSAPG @IntlCrimCourt @SecRubio @US_SrAdvisorAF

[Me Innocent Ntezi @InnocentNtezi1]

According to #Kongolo, an adviser to @FelixUdps in Kinshasa, he stated that he personally contributed up to 80% of the strategies targeting Banyamulenge villages in the High Plateaus, including at Point Zéro, notably through the purchase of drones intended to destroy the High Plateaus, including all communities associated with Twirwaneho (referred to as “Wajinga,” meaning “idiots”). The use of drones in such a context constitutes intentional crimes, which need to be investigated urgently.@KarimKhanQC @antonioguterres @UNOSAPG @IntlCrimCourt @SecRubio @US_SrAdvisorAF

[Xtrafrica @xtr_africa]

#READ 🇨🇩 DRC government spokesperson @PatrickMuyaya says the ongoing presence of Rwandan troops and M23-controlled zones in eastern Congo are seriously complicating efforts to contain the latest Ebola outbreak.

Speaking to TV5Monde, Muyaya argued that while the DRC has the expertise and experience to manage Ebola, now facing its 17th outbreak, insecurity in areas controlled by the AFC/M23 coalition is disrupting response operations, medical mobility, and access to affected populations.

Muyaya criticized Rwanda’s decision to close parts of the border, insisting Ebola spreads through direct contact, not air transmission like Covid-19. According to him, border closures and continued fighting around Goma risk isolating North Kivu and slowing emergency health deployments.

“The best strategy for an effective response in Goma is the withdrawal of Rwandan troops,” Muyaya stated, accusing Kigali of failing to fully respect commitments made under the US-brokered Washington Accord while eastern DRC continues facing both war and a public health crisis.

[Rukema Lévis @RukemaLevis]

Je redoute tout munyamulenge d’où qu’il s’établisse, qui sympathise la guerre qui détruit son pays et son identité, et dont la lutte défend et sert les intérêts étrangers.
Je redoute toute personne qui implique la jeunesse Banyamulenge dans une guerre, dont elle ne connaît ni les tenants, ni les aboutissants, mais qui l’extermine à petit feu.
Cette personne aurait choisi l’approche de Jonas qui, en fuite vers Ninive, voulant sauver sa vie et ses aspirations personnelles, a causé le chavirement de tout un navire.
Je nous invite à lutter et à défendre la vision qui se bat pour la paix, la cohésion sociale, la stabilité et le développement de notre seule et unique patrie, la République Démocratique du Congo.