They have literally been uprooted from their homes by militias of the Babembe and Abafurero tribes, that are supported by RDF. RED TABARA, a Burundian rebel group is not far off in this conflict because it’s rear base is Rwanda & is operating within this Mulenge area.
In their own words:
“A catastrophe befell us.
They burnt our houses,
They looted all our property,
We all had to flee
They killed four of our men and abducted four women amongst us, who have not been killed yet. I think they are meant to be raped.
We have nothing to eat and no shelter”.
“They took our cows, they burnt our houses they sorrounded us and took all we had on us on the way to here. They harassed us whenever we met them on the road and looted our property”.
“I met soldiers who nearly shattered my skull & took all my money”.
“War has devastated us, our home is Mubijombo, everyone is on the run. We have nothing on us to survive. We don’t know what to do”.
By Gideon Rukundo Rugari