RDC: Red-Tabara – Press Release (17.02.2023)

RDC: Red-Tabara – Press Release (01.02.2023)

RDC: RED-TABARA – Communique (29.11.2022)

RDC: Red-Tabara – Press Release (22.08.2022)

RDC: Panzi Foundation – Statement by Dr. Mukwege on the Day of International Criminal Justice (17.07.2022)

RDC: Red-Tabara – Press Release (06.06.2022)

RDC: Red-Tabara – Communique (13.05.2022)

RDC: Red-Tabara – Communique (03.05.2022)

RDC: Red-Tabara – Communique (24.04.2022)

DRC: Red Tabara continues to ravage in the South Kivu Province

“Our troops Red Tabara engaged in heavy fighting on Monday at Magunda to Sud-Kivu, RD Congo against the military Burundais of FDN. Balance sheet 12 dead & more than 25 wounded on the enemy side. Our valiant fighters Red Tabara launched a surprise attack this Friday at dawn against a military position Burundiais from FDN to Masango, Sud-Kivu, RD Congo. We still don’t know the enemy’s toll. On our side, we deplore an injured person” (Red Tabara, 16.04.2022).

The rebels who was created to beat the late Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza is now continuing to enforce impunity and extra judicial killings within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They are doing that will alliances with other militias and with leaders who helps their cause. Clearly the FARDC isn’t able to stop it.

That’s why the Red-Tabara could come out today with a statement of killings in South Kivu. While it was only days ago there was reports of cattle rustling or thieving of livestock in South Kivu from the same militia. Therefore, something is up and they are very active.

Just read the recent report as well…

Stealing livestock in South Kivu Province:

“Residents of the Kiziba village, in the Bijombo groupment, territory of Uvira (province of South Kivu in eastern DRC) say that rebels of the Red Tabara, a Burundian armed group, looted more than 500 cows on Wednesday. The rebel group has not yet reacted to the allegation. INFO SOS Médias Burundi – Heads of households confirmed to SOS Médias Burundi that “the rebels who looted our cows came from the village of Maheta (same groupment of Bijombo)”. The guards were stripped of everything they had on them, our sources say. Local civil society says it has documented several cases of cattle looting in the region. “We were told that some rebel leaders use the money from the sale of these cows to build or buy houses in Burundi,” said a local activist without giving evidence.

The looted animals, on April 6, were the Banyamulenge’s. This community has repeatedly accused the rebels, described by the Burundian authorities as a terrorist movement, of “having robbed us thousands of cows”. The Red Tabara spokesperson wasn’t available to comment on the allegation” (INFO SOS Médias Burundi, 12.04.2022).

So, things are not good and Red Tabara gets to continue to create havoc and injustice. They were created to fight the CNDD-FDD and late President Nkurunziza. Today, they are murderous group who ravages South Kivu for own spoils. That is how things are looking and these sorts of militias are creating more insecurity as the FARDC is overstretched with the amounts of militias operating in the Kivu regions alone. They are able to power-play and overcome the national army drive to have monopoly on violence in the region. That is evident since Red Tabara is just one of many who gets to operate and do these sinister things.

Here is some old reporting on it and a one piece from a UN report from last year in 2021.

Who is the Red Tabara:

“This group emerged last year, and is believed to be composed of former soldiers, police and demobilised ex-rebels. Its “chief-of-staff”, Melchiade Biremba, says its goal is “to hunt Nkurunziza and his clique”. With his departure, a transitional government will be formed, leading to free and credible elections. RED-Tabara shares the “same goals” as the CNARED opposition alliance – but says, “the ways and means we take are different”. RED-Tabara has been referred to as the military wing of the Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (see above) led by Alex Sinduhije – an allegation denied by Biremba. The group is especially active in Bujumbura. It claims to only target the security forces, but civilians have also been victims of grenade attacks. Biremba says RED-Tabara is united with other anti-Nkurunziza insurgent groups, but “each has its own military strategy”” (Jean-Baptiste Nkurunziza & Obi Anyadike – ‘Briefing – who’s who in Burundi’s armed opposition’ 07.06.2016).

A UN Report from 2021:

“In South Kivu, the Burundian armed group RED Tabara remained active and reportedly continued to cooperate with the Congolese Mai-Mai Ilunga, Mai-Mai René, Mai-Mai Yakutumba and Twirwaneho militias, which have been involved in abductions and kidnappings for ransom. On 15 July, RED Tabara released a communiqué denying any alliances with the aforementioned local armed groups or any involvement in attacks on FARDC” (United Nations Security Council – ‘Implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region’ 30.09.2021).

It is tragic that Red Tabara can continue and prolong the agony. Just like M23 could return to North Kivu. The Red Tabara gets to violate South Kivu. There is a never ending cycle of insecurity and militias creating death in these provinces. A silent war never ending and people are dying over mineral resources and illicit trade of wealth here. Peace.