Bertrand Bisimwa, President of the M23 rebel movement, has strongly rejected accusations by the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), which recently alleged that the group killed 169 civilians in Rutshuru, DRC.
Speaking to Reuters, Bisimwa said these allegations are based on unverified claims from a known FDLR member named Mulumba. He criticized the UN for publishing unverified reports without conducting independent investigations.
On July 31, Reuters published a report citing the UN, claiming that M23 rebels attacked civilians and farmers in Eastern DRC earlier that month, killing 169 people.
Bisimwa acknowledged an investigation would be conducted but said the information was likely part of a “smear campaign” meant to tarnish their image.
In an interview with Voice of Congo, Bisimwa compared the accusations to previous claims of a massacre in Kishishe, which he also dismissed as fabricated.
“Do you know what they did in Kishishe? They invented a story, based on so-called testimonies, and published it. But that story never existed. We left Kishishe for a time and they couldn’t show any graves, name a single victim, or provide any identity to those allegedly killed—still to this day.”
He stated that similar tactics were being used again, claiming the report on the 169 deaths was fabricated in the same fashion.
“Now what are they saying? That they received information from certain sources. That means: unverified data. That’s a major flaw in how the UN Human Rights Office works. When you receive such information, what should you do? You verify it. You investigate on-site. MONUSCO is here. The UNJHRO is based in Kinshasa. Why not send a commission to verify first before announcing such claims?”
Bisimwa alleged that the only source was Mulumba, a known FDLR spokesperson in the region, whose propaganda the UN supposedly used as the foundation for the story.
“In truth, it’s all propaganda. We even suggested they create a commission to investigate, but they didn’t. And they won’t—because they know it’s fabricated.”
He further accused a Congolese employee at the UN Human Rights Office of being behind several of these unverified propaganda stories.
“What was their goal? To cover up the massacre in Komanda, where civilians were killed in churches with the FARDC’s involvement. To distract media and public attention, they fabricated this Rutshuru story to wipe away the Komanda incident.”
Reuters itself stated it could not independently verify the massacre but cited local activists who claimed that M23 fighters used guns and machetes to kill many civilians.
🇫🇷 FRENCH — Le Chef du M23 DĂ©ment les Accusations de Massacre Ă Rutshuru: “Une Propagande Pure”
Bertrand Bisimwa, Président du mouvement rebelle M23, a rejeté catégoriquement les accusations du Bureau Conjoint des Nations Unies aux Droits de l’Homme (BCNUDH) concernant le meurtre de 169 civils à Rutshuru.
S’adressant à Reuters, Bisimwa a affirmé que ces allégations reposaient sur les déclarations d’un certain Mulumba, connu pour être membre du FDLR. Il a vivement critiqué l’ONU pour avoir publié des informations non vérifiées.
Le 31 juillet, Reuters publiait une dépêche basée sur des informations des Nations Unies selon lesquelles les rebelles du M23 auraient tué 169 personnes dans l’est de la RDC, principalement des agriculteurs et des civils.
Bisimwa a dit qu’une enquĂŞte serait ouverte, mais a Ă©voquĂ© une probable “campagne de dĂ©nigrement” contre leur mouvement.
Dans une interview accordée à Voice of Congo, il a comparé cette affaire à l’affaire Kishishe, qu’il qualifie également de mensonge monté de toutes pièces.
“Vous vous souvenez de ce qu’ils ont fait Ă Kishishe ? Ils ont inventĂ© une histoire, Ă partir de soi-disant tĂ©moignages, et l’ont publiĂ©e. Mais elle n’a jamais Ă©tĂ© prouvĂ©e. Nous avions quittĂ© Kishishe Ă un moment donnĂ©, ils n’ont jamais montrĂ© d’enterrements, ni donnĂ© un seul nom de victime.”
Selon lui, la méthode utilisée cette fois est identique.
“Ils disent qu’ils ont reçu des informations de certaines sources. Autrement dit, des informations qu’ils n’ont pas vĂ©rifiĂ©es. C’est lĂ que le BCNUDH faillit. Normalement, on doit aller vĂ©rifier, enquĂŞter sur place. MONUSCO est lĂ , le bureau est Ă Kinshasa. Pourquoi ne pas envoyer une commission avant de faire des dĂ©clarations aussi graves ?”
Il a dénoncé le fait que la source de l’ONU serait Mulumba, un porte-parole bien connu du FDLR, accusé de diffuser régulièrement de la propagande.
“Nous leur avons dit qu’ils pouvaient former une commission d’enquĂŞte. Ils ne l’ont pas fait. Et ils ne le feront pas, car ils savent que c’est de la propagande.”
Bisimwa a poursuivi en disant que l’un des employés congolais du BCNUDH serait à l’origine de ces fuites médiatiques manipulées, visant à tromper l’opinion.
“Quel Ă©tait leur objectif ? Couvrir le massacre de Komanda, oĂą des civils ont Ă©tĂ© tuĂ©s dans des Ă©glises et l’armĂ©e (FARDC) Ă©tait impliquĂ©e. Pour dĂ©tourner l’attention, ils ont inventĂ© une autre histoire.”
Reuters a précisé ne pas être en mesure de confirmer indépendamment les faits, mais cite des activistes locaux affirmant que les rebelles du M23 ont tué des civils avec des armes à feu et des machettes.
🌍 KISWAHILI — Kiongozi wa M23 Akanusha Tuhuma za Mauaji Rutshuru: “Ni Propaganda Tu”
Bertrand Bisimwa, Rais wa kundi la waasi la M23, amekanusha vikali tuhuma za Ofisi ya Pamoja ya Haki za Binadamu ya Umoja wa Mataifa (UNJHRO), zilizodai kuwa M23 waliua raia 169 huko Rutshuru, mashariki mwa DRC.
Akizungumza na Reuters, Bisimwa alisema tuhuma hizo zilitokana na taarifa za mtu anayejulikana kama Mulumba, msemaji wa FDLR, na kwamba UN ilikosea kuchapisha habari zisizothibitishwa.
Mnamo Julai 31, Reuters iliripoti kuwa Umoja wa Mataifa ulidai wapiganaji wa M23 waliwaua watu 169—wakulima na raia—mwanzo wa mwezi huo.
Bisimwa alisema watafanya uchunguzi, lakini alisisitiza kuwa taarifa hizo ni sehemu ya kampeni ya kuharibu jina lao.
Katika mahojiano na Voice of Congo, aliilinganisha na madai ya awali kuhusu mauaji ya Kishishe, ambayo alidai yalibuniwa.
“Unajua walichofanya Kishishe? Walibuni hadithi, wakadai ni ushuhuda, kisha wakaichapisha. Lakini hakuna kaburi, hakuna jina la marehemu hata mmoja hadi leo.”
Aliendelea kusema kuwa mbinu hiyo hiyo imejaribiwa tena kwa idadi ya vifo 169.
“Sasa wanasema eti wamepokea habari kutoka vyanzo fulani. Yaani hawajathibitisha chochote. Ofisi ya haki za binadamu ya UN imepwaya. Walipaswa kufanya uchunguzi wao binafsi. MONUSCO ipo, ofisi iko Kinshasa. Kwa nini wasitumie kamati maalum kuchunguza kabla ya kutoa ripoti nzito namna hii?”
Bisimwa alidai taarifa hizo zilitegemea Mulumba, msemaji wa FDLR, ambaye UN ilichukua taarifa zake na kuzifanya kama habari rasmi.
“Kwa kweli, ni propaganda tu. Tulishauri wateue tume ya uchunguzi—hawajafanya hivyo. Hawatafanya. Wanajua ni uongo.”
Aliongeza kuwa mfanyakazi mmoja raia wa Kongo ndani ya UNJHRO ndiye chanzo cha propaganda nyingi za uongo.
“Lengo lao halisi lilikuwa kufunika mauaji ya Komanda, ambapo raia waliuawa makanisani na jeshi la FARDC lilihusika. Ili kuondoa macho ya umma huko, wakabuni hadithi nyingine.”
Reuters yenyewe ilisema haiwezi kuthibitisha kwa uhuru mauaji hayo, lakini wanaharakati wa eneo hilo walisema wapiganaji wa M23 walitumia bunduki na mapanga kuua raia wengi.
