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THE TUTSIFICATION OF POLITICS IN CONGO: WHO ARE THE BANYAMULENGE?
Remigius Kintu (President of Uganda Democratic Coalition): "TERROR INCOGNITO: THE USA CONSPIRACY BEHIND MUSEVENI'S WARS"
To the Maryland Peace & Justice Annual Conference, 04.19.97
WHO ARE BANYAMULENGE?
The tribal name of Banyamulenge, meaning Tutsis who are citizens of Congo living in South Kivu region, surfaced during the invasion of Zaire by Tutsi troops from Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi in late 1996. In actual fact, this was a politically coined up name to legitimize foreign invasion that overthrew Mobutu's regime. They claimed having lived in that part of Congo/Zaire for over 200 years. That is a total fabrication. Tutsis came into that region as refugees in 1959/60. According to a U.N. document which was confirmed by local elders, a U.N. official wrote in 1961 to Rwandese Refugees reminding them of their status and advising them to stay away from politics. It was written in French and Kinyarwanda. The French version is reproduced here with an English translation.
TO RWANDA REFUGEES IN LEMERA, MULENGE AND KATOBO
Dear Rwandese Refugees,
You are isolated at this moment. Bridges have been destroyed and there are barricades on the road. For this reason, we cannot be with you. However, we hope that soon there will be peace and tranquility in your region.
In the meantime, we are asking you to remain TOTALLY NEUTRAL .You have been given asylum in the Congo on condition that you completely abstain from politics. If anyone comes to seek your support, tell him that as foreigners, refugees and guests of the Republic of Congo, you cannot and YOU MUST NOT take part int any political movement.
Be calm. Keep on working as you have done in the past and follow your Agricultural Advisor. Let everyone remain at his/her station, but above all, stay away from politics.
Red Cross Representative
UNHCR Representative
L'Administrateur de l'O.N.U.C.
Furthermore, leaders of the 1998 invasion of Congo are not even sons of the above refugees but direct transplants from Rwanda and Uganda. A closer look at the self-acclaimed leaders of the "national rebellion" is further proof of their being imposters.
Bizima Karaha (actual name: Bizimana Karahamiheto) formerly Kabila's Foreign Minister, is a Tutsi from Changugu, Southern Rwanda and a key leader of the invasion. He attended a university in Kinshasa. His uncle, Mr. Kajaguhankwa, is a member of Parliament in Rwanda.
James Kabarebe, another Rwandese Tutsi. He commanded the invasion which overthrew Mobutu in 1997. Prior to that, Kabarebe was head of the Rwandese Republican Guard. He later became Congo's Army Chief of Staff until he was expelled. In August, 1998, he led a second invasion of Congo and commanded troops which were airlifted to Matadi by American and French supporters. Kabarebe was wounded in the fighting at Mbanzangungu. He was reportedly airlifted to Brazzaville and later returned to Goma where he died of the wounds and was buried in Kigali. During his funeral, Bizimana was reportedly shot in the arm by an angry Tutsi soldier. He was flown to a hospital in South Africa.
Jackson Nzinza (real name is Nkurunziza) is a Ugandan Tutsi born at Nyakabande, Kisoro in Kigezi, Uganda. He left Makerere University without finishing to join RPF invasion of Rwanda in 1990. According to sources in Kigali, he killed the three Catholic bishops and eleven priests at Kabwayi in 1994. Nkurunziza radioed to Kagame asking for instructions as to what to do with these Hutu churchmen. Kagame replied in Swahili: "FAGIA" meaning: clean up or eliminate, kill!
He was later sent to Nairobi, Kenya as Rwanda's Charge d'affaires with a special mission of killing Rwandese Hutu refugees living in Kenya. He tried to carry out his assignment but the Kenyan Police uncovered his activities. He was recalled and made head of Rwanda's Internal Security Organization - a Gestapo-type of a murder squad until he was re-assigned to invade Zaire in 1996. After the overthrow of Mobutu, this notorious Gestapo became Congo's Chief of National Security and did precisely what he used to do in Rwanda - kill political enemies. He left Congo when Tutsis were expelled and returned to Kigali. Later, he and Kabarebe led troops which were airlifted to Matadi by Americans and French collaborators, in a failed attempt to capture the capital from the west side.
Col. Ibingira, a Rwandese Tutsi who commanded the massacre at Kibeho and later became commander of the army in northern Rwanda. He was also among the leaders of the Zaire invasion in 1996 and became Commander of North Kivu after Mobutu was deposed. He carried out special missions of exterminating thousands of Rwandese Hutu refugees in the region. Ibingira returned to Rwanda as head of "Military Security" - a murder squad.
Tutsis are notorious for disguising their identities by changing names. For example, Micomyiza became Mico; Sekamana is Ssekamanya; Gahoza is Kakooza; Ghatoto is Kato. Surumana is Suruma. There are numerous examples of such cases in Congo and Uganda. Of all African people, only Tutsis have the habit of disguising their identities by doing "surgery on their names".
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