The security and humanitarian situation of Batwa communities in South Kivu province is raising serious concern, extending beyond the Kalehe territory alone. In the neighboring territory of Kabare, several violent incidents have been reported in recent days in the camps of Buyungule, Cibuga, and Muyange, highlighting a continued deterioration in the living conditions of these already vulnerable populations.
According to consistent local testimonies, armed elements reportedly raided the Buyungule/Combo camp. During this incursion, Batwa women—including some who were pregnant—were violently assaulted. An elderly man, identified as Muciga, was also reportedly attacked. These accounts, while difficult to independently verify due to limited access to the area, form part of a recurring pattern of alleged violence targeting Indigenous communities.
In addition, the Batwa customary chief of Kabare territory, Ntavuna Cizungu, was reportedly forced to flee following pressure from the same armed elements, leaving the community without traditional leadership at a critical time.
Beyond physical violence, the ongoing conflict is worsening an already severe food crisis. Deprived of their livelihoods and forced into displacement, several Batwa families have begun turning to the experimental fields of the National Institute for Agronomic Study and Research (INERA), located in Mulungu, in hopes of finding food.
This situation is generating new tensions. The informal occupation or use of these research plots is creating friction between INERA authorities and local customary leaders, particularly group chiefs, who are struggling to manage the influx of distressed populations.
In this context, the Batwa once again appear as invisible victims of a prolonged conflict, caught between armed violence, food insecurity, and land-use disputes. Calls are growing for an urgent humanitarian response, as well as for stronger recognition of land rights and the protection of Indigenous peoples within crisis management policies.
Given the complexity of the situation, strengthened coordination between local authorities, research institutions, and humanitarian partners appears essential to prevent further escalation and to ensure equitable access to vital resources.
By Kilalopress