“We have no joy like others celebrating the New Year, because we have been denied the right to our country. We live in the sorrow of exile.”
These were the words of Congolese refugees living in Kigeme Camp, Nyamagabe District, Southern Province of Rwanda.
This morning, thousands of Congolese refugees—around 14,000 who have lived in the camp for the past 12 years—staged a peaceful protest within the camp boundaries. Their aim was to draw attention to their plight and demand action on issues affecting them.
The refugees highlighted three main reasons for their protest:
- Condemning discrimination they face in their homeland.
- Calling on the international community to speak out against the persecution of Congolese Tutsi who speak Kinyarwanda, which they say is being carried out by the Congolese government.
- Demanding recognition of their right to return to their country safely.
Although discrimination against Congolese Tutsi has persisted for years, it was recently amplified when the spokesperson of the Congolese army, Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, made inflammatory remarks on national television. He described Tutsi as traitors and hypocrites, echoing the infamous “Ten Hutu Commandments” that fueled hatred during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. His statements suggested that Tutsi in Congo should not be shown compassion.
The refugees insist they want the right to return home, but say current conditions make it impossible. Despite the M23 rebel group controlling some territories, they argue that insecurity remains high, with ongoing reports of kidnappings and killings.
They openly expressed support for M23, noting that many of their children have joined the movement to fight against discrimination. “The government must rise up and fight this discrimination so that we can regain our rights to our country, because we have no other homeland,” they declared.
The protest in Kigeme Camp is not an isolated event—it reflects wider instability in Africa’s Great Lakes region, where conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have repeatedly spilled across borders.
- M23’s resurgence: The March 23 Movement (M23), largely composed of Congolese Tutsi fighters, has seized parts of North Kivu, including Goma in early 2025, causing thousands of deaths and displacements. Its rise has heightened fears of a broader regional war.
- Cross-border dynamics: Rwanda and Uganda have long been accused by Kinshasa of backing M23, while both countries deny direct involvement. These accusations fuel diplomatic tensions and complicate peace efforts.
- International mediation: In April 2025, the US brokered a Declaration of Principles between Rwanda and Congo, emphasizing accountability for atrocities and the need for justice as a foundation for durable peace. Yet, mistrust remains high.
- Humanitarian impact: The Great Lakes region hosts millions of displaced people. Camps like Kigeme in Rwanda, Nakivale in Uganda, and others in Burundi are reminders of how regional instability uproots communities across borders.
The refugees’ protest underscores how local grievances are tied to regional fault lines: ethnic discrimination in Congo, rebel movements like M23, and the failure of regional and international actors to secure lasting peace. Without addressing these interconnected issues—land disputes, ethnic tensions, and impunity for atrocities—the cycle of displacement and protest is likely to continue
Photo:Kigalitoday
