URGENT EARLY-WARNING ALERT
IMMINENT RISK OF MASS ATROCITIES AGAINST BANYAMULENGE CIVILIANS
Situation
Credible reports indicate a rapidly deteriorating situation around Minembwe and other Banyamulenge-populated areas of South Kivu. Preparations for a broader campaign of genocidal violence against Banyamulenge civilians may already be underway.
Over the past several days, multiple villages have come under coordinated attacks involving artillery and kamikaze/one-way attack drones. Reported locations include Mukoko, Nyaruhinga, Gipimo, Nzahaha, Rugezi, Nyagishasha, Timbyangoma, Biziba and surrounding areas.
Civilian areas have been struck. A child was injured in a drone attack. Families have been forced to flee. These reports require urgent, independent verification.
Risks
Newly acquired and increasingly sophisticated weapons,including high-precision drones, raise particular alarm. These capabilities can be used to target Banyamulenge-populated areas and destroy civilian infrastructure: homes, schools, health facilities and other essential services.
Minembwe and surrounding communities are becoming increasingly isolated. A renewed blockade is restricting movement and access to food, medicine and other essential supplies. Such restrictions raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law and must not result in collective punishment or the denial of humanitarian assistance.
The combination of attacks, displacement, advanced weaponry and restricted humanitarian access constitutes a grave early-warning indicator of potential mass atrocities.
Immediate Actions Required
• To FARDC and Burundian forces: Stop all attacks affecting civilians. Respect every ceasefire commitment fully and immediately.
• To the United States, Qatar and all peace and ceasefire facilitators: Take urgent diplomatic action. Establish effective verification mechanisms and prioritize civilian protection.
• To the United Nations, OHCHR, OCHA, MONUSCO, the African Union and humanitarian and human-rights organizations: Verify these reports without delay, establish the facts and take concrete measures to protect civilians.
EARLY WARNING MUST LEAD TO EARLY ACTION.
DO NOT WAIT FOR MASS CASUALTIES.
PROTECT BANYAMULENGE CIVILIANS NOW.
@UN@antonioguterres@UNHumanRights@UNOCHA@UNOCHA_DRC@UNPeacekeeping@UNDPPA@MONUSCO@_AfricanUnion@ICRC@hrw@amnesty@StateDept@USUN@EU_Commission@MofaQatar_EN@AmbAlyaAlThani@jumuiya@UNOSAPG@PaulKagame@SuluhuSamia@WilliamsRuto@un_greatlakes@USEmbKinshasa@KagutaMuseveni@US_SrAdvisorAF@GakondoOfficial@IsokoUSA@DougGasore
#Minembwe #Banyamulenge #SouthKivu #DRC #GenocidePrevention #AtrocityPrevention #CiviliansAtRisk
No mother should ever have to endure such heartbreaking losses - her husband, her daughter, and now her son the King. My deepest and most sincere condolences to the Queen Mother and the entire Tooro Kingdom. May God grant them strength, comfort, wisdom and peace during this profoundly difficult time. #Uganda