Before U.S. Congress, Byamungu Says DRC Must Address Internal Failures Instead

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 11, 2026 - Appearing before members of the U.S. Congress, Umunye-Congo researcher Christian-Géraud Neema Byamungu argued that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) should not place primary blame on Rwanda for its persistent instability, warning that such an approach risks overlooking the country’s deeper structural problems. Byamungu told lawmakers that focusing solely on Kigali would be “like treating a disease with the wrong medicine.” While acknowledging accusations that Rwanda has undermined security in eastern Congo, he stressed that multiple armed groups operating within the DRC are major drivers of violence. “Stopping Rwanda alone will not solve the problem of armed groups in the DRC such as the ADF,” he said, referring to the Allied Democratic Forces, which has been blamed for deadly attacks in the east. “The ADF kills hundreds of people almost every week, but there is little mention of CODECO, Red Tabara, the Wazalendo, or the Mobondo militia near Kinshasa.” Byamungu further emphasized that externalizing responsibility would not address what he described as chronic poor governance, misappropriation of resources, and weak state institutions. According to him, these longstanding deficiencies have enabled armed groups to flourish for more than two decades. “It will not solve the problem of poor governance, incompetent institutions, and the systemic weaknesses that allow these groups to grow,” he stated. “If these root causes remain unaddressed, insecurity will return, as it has repeatedly over the past 20 years.” The researcher also challenged the widely held assumption that precious minerals are the principal driver of violence in the DRC. While acknowledging their role in criminal networks, he argued that many conflicts stem from communal tensions, disputes over traditional leadership, and the rise of self-defense groups formed in response to state failures. “For many years, insecurity in the DRC has been caused by reasons other than precious metals,” Byamungu said. “Resources are sometimes used for criminal activities, but they are not the primary cause of the crisis.” He concluded by urging U.S. policymakers to adopt a more comprehensive approach to the Congolese crisis-one that not only seeks to end current conflicts but also prevents future ones. Key stakeholders, he noted, must include civil society organizations, religious institutions, and church leaders, whose involvement he described as essential for sustainable peace. Byamungu’s remarks come amid heightened diplomatic attention on the Great Lakes region, as Washington reassesses its engagement strategy in Central Africa.