We, US citizens and the undersigned members of Bellevue Presbyterian Church, respectfully request the US Congress and State Department to bring the attention of the public to renewed violence in DR Congo. Targeted are Banyamulenge civilians in the South Kivu area of DR Congo. Mayi Mayi militia groups in coalition with Burundian rebels and Rwandan perpetrators of genocide are carrying out systematic and orchestrated killings of innocent Banyamulenge civilians. More than twenty villages have been burned down and properties destroyed and/or stolen, as thousands flee into the forest trying to reach safety. However, these attacks are severely under-reported. We want you to help us by using your public platforms to give voice to these voiceless people. This is the third time since 1996 they have been specifically targeted for extinction.

We also ask your help to call upon President Tshisekedi to follow through on his good promises to protect all civilians, by taking action to bring such hate groups to justice. We ask you to call upon him to join with the US in an official appeal to the neighboring countries to seek ways of brokering peace rather than escalating the violence.

Many Banyamulenge live as citizens in the United States, and they grieve for their families and friends in DR Congo. We ask you to help these people know they are heard, and that we will do all we can to shine light on the dark, decades-long history of persecution, that it may end.

Please sign and ask your US Congress representative to let President Tshisekedi know we care about his people, and want him to act quickly, with effect, to protect them.

Thank you,
Members of Bellevue Presbyterian Church, Bellevue, Washington, United States of America