Name: Controversy grows in DRC over alleged tolerance of anti-Tutsi rhetoric
Uploaded: 2025-12-29T20:06:47.229Z
Duration: 1 min 3 s
Description: Controversy is growing in the Democratic Republic of Congo over alleged government tolerance of anti-Tutsi rhetoric. President Félix Tshisekedi met on December 22nd with two Congolese expatriates from the United States, Jean-Claude Mubenga and Kalonji Kabamba.

Controversy is growing in the Democratic Republic of Congo over alleged government tolerance of anti-Tutsi rhetoric. President Félix Tshisekedi met on December 22nd with two Congolese expatriates from the United States, Jean-Claude Mubenga and Kalonji Kabamba.

Kinshasa

Controversy has intensified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo following the suspension of army spokesperson Major General Sylviane Nkenji for making discriminatory remarks about Tutsi women. The military clarified that these comments were made in a personal capacity and do not represent the views of the government or President Philip Tsisekedi.

The situation escalated after President Tsisekedi met with Congolese expatriates, one of whom later posted inflammatory messages online targeting Tutsis and praising armed groups accused of violence against Kinyarwanda-speaking communities. The Tutsi population in the region has long been linked to ongoing conflict and tense relations between the DRC and Rwanda.

Controversy grows in DRC over alleged tolerance of anti-Tutsi rhetoric

Controversy is growing in the DRC over alleged government tolerance of anti-Tutsi rhetoric. The army spokesperson, Major General Sylviane Nkenji, has been suspended following controversial remarks about Tutsi women. The army says the comments were discriminatory and do not reflect the position of the government, the military command or President Philip Tsisekedi, stressing they were made in a personal capacity. It comes after President Philip Tsisekedi met on December 22nd with two Congolese expatriates from the United States, Jean-Claude Mbenga and Kalonji Kambamba. Just one day later, Mbenga posted highly inflammatory messages online, using dehumanising language against Tutsis and questioning their right to live in the DRC. He also praised armed groups accused of targeting Kinyarwanda-speaking communities. The Tutsis are an ethnic group living across Rwanda and eastern Congo and their presence is highly tied to decades of conflict and strained relations between the DRC and Rwanda.

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