SUMMARY
The Barundi is a people that originates in Burundi and speak the Kirundi language. The Barundi in DR Congo (Zaire) mainly resides on the Ruzizi Plain and the area around Uvira in the Sud Kivu Province. The group has met many of the same challenges as Banyamulenge and are seen as Rwandophones and immigrants by other ethnic groups in the area that have claimed they were native to the lands (The Bafulero, Bavira and Babembe).
The Barundi was granted a collectivite and chiefdom in 1928, the native groups claimed this was unjustified which has put the groups on different sides in conflicts. In 1991 the Barundi Mwami Ndabagoye was removed from office accused of doubtful nationality. In 1998 he joined the RCD (Congolese Rally for Democracy). The Mwami of the Barundi Floribert Ndabagoye Nsabimana was assassinated on 25 April 2012 sparking unrest between the ethnic groups in the area.
The Barundi has at times been close to different Burundian rebel groups with bases in DR Congo (Zaire) for example the Palipehutu-FNL.
The Banyamulenge are a Tutsi community that primarily resides in the Sud Kivu Province of the DR Congo (Zaire). The Banyamulenge are pastoralists that originate from Rwanda. Much of the history of the community have been colored by the fact that they are seen as immigrants, and not true citizens by neighboring communities. Although most historians agree that the first Banyamulenge arrived in the country before the colonial era. Before the 1970s the group was known as Banyarwanda or Ruanda, but around 1970 the community adopted the name Banyamulenge to distinguish themselves from more recent Rwandan refugees and immigrants. The group has been fighting other Sud Kivu communities to gain land rights, with land rights comes both citizenship rights and political influence.
Even though, the Banyamulenge are a small group by Congolese measures they have been part of many different armed movements in DR Congo (Zaire) over the years. Some of these have been active in the DR Congo: Government conflict. In the 1960s most Banyamulenge sided with the national army against the Simba rebellion, a move that led to deteriorated relations between Banyamuelnge and neighbouring communities. Refugees entering DR Congo from Rwanda after the Rwandan genocide further polarized inter-community relations in the area. In the 1996-1997 war, colloquially called the Banyamulenge rebellion, most Banyamulenge joined the Rwanda backed AFDL an actor that managed to oust President Mobutu. In the 1998-2002 war some Banyamulenge joined another Rwanda supported group, RCD while others joined FRF, a Banyamulenge militia opposing RCD and their Rwandan allies. In 2006 some Banyamulenge joined the CNDP rebellion against the government while others remained with the FRF. After 2011 small Banyamulenge armed groups, only involved in different non-state conflicts, such as Ngumino, Twiganeho and AFP-Gutabara emerged. These groups have become increasingly involved in ethnic violence intertwined with the Burundi: Government and DR Congo:Government conflicts.
As previously mentioned citizenship and political influence in DR Congo are tied to land. Hence, the community's struggle have often been tied to the quest for their own self-governing entity. In 1999, the Banyamulenge were for the first time granted their own territory, Minembwe, by the rebel governance in the area. However the decision was reversed after the 2003 Sun City agreement and the Banyamulenge had to continue their endeavour of establishing their own territory. In September 2020, Minembwe was declared a rural commune in the Lulenge sector in the Fizi territory a decision that was cancelled in October by the President.
Banyamulenge have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.
