Delphin Rukumbuzi Ntanyoma:Unmasking Expressive from Criminalization of Violence in Banyamulenge.
Channel: GIRES-Global Research Institute
Date: 2021-02-22

Delphin Rukumbuzi NTANYOMA is a PhD candidate within the Erasmus University of Rotterdam/Institute of Social Studies (ISS). His research in South and North-Kivu focuses on Micro-level Analysis of Violent Conflict.The researcher runs an online Blog (The Eastern Congo Tribune:www.easterncongotribune.com). He is also author of “Behind the Scenes of ‘Banyamulenge Military’: Momentum, Myth, and Extinction”.

Abstract
FULL TITLE:"Unmasking Expressive from Criminalization of Violence: “Slow Genocide” and Vulnerability Trap of Banyamulenge."

For decades, the eastern Congo has been going through recurring violence because of several motives and causes. The (mis)interpretation of settlement history has largely affected some groups considered as “immigrants”. In South-Kivu, the dichotomy between ‘autochthonous’ versus ‘immigrants’ still resonates. Due to the reproduction and distortion of the colonial literature, Banyamulenge in South-Kivu have been discriminated against and considered as ‘invaders’. For being invaders, they have been forced to leave their homeland during the post- independence period (1964); culminating to countless deaths. In the recent past, similar incidents have occurred in different regions and localities across the Congo. Remaining Banyamulenge in their homeland are currently besieged, starved while hundreds of their villages were destroyed; their economy and source of livelihood annihilated. Against this backdrop of Banyamulenge situation, complexity of violence overshadows how they have been selectively and indiscriminately targeted. In a historical perspective, the paper disentangles “expressive violence” versus criminalization of violence (Kalyvas 2006) . While Genocide is defined as process than an event ( Rosenberg 2012) , the paper suggests that indiscriminate and selective violence against Banyamulenge since the post-independence period constitutes a “slow genocide”. The paper relies on existing literature, accounts of knowledgeable informants, victims of these selective killings, and personal experience to link incidents of Banyamulenge’s indiscriminate killings. Additionally, the fieldwork’s experience (September 2018-May 2019) in eastern Congo helps to elaborate on recent armed mobilization (2017 onwards) and violence against Banyamulenge.

CONFERENCE INFORMATION
"Genocides, Deportations and Massacres: Experiences, (hi)stories and interpretations"
Organizer: GIRES-Global Institute for Research Education & Scholarship  
Date: 14-15 November 2020
Place: Amsterdam (Virtual)
More information: https://www.gires.org/activities/conferences/genocides-deportations-and-massacres-experiences-histories-and-interpretations/ 

The new International Conference organized by GIRES, the Global Institute for Research Education & Scholarship based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands dedicated to interdisciplinarity, opened the discussion on a highly interesting and complex issue. We live in the most technologically advanced era in human history, offering the unique privilege of access to limitless knowledge and information. Despite the knowledge we have gained from the painful lessons of the past, in many ways we face challenges similar to those of previous generations.

We analyzed and discussed various mass atrocities including genocides, ethnic-cleansings, massacres, and forced deportations. We explored the newest research on these topics, examined the past, analyzed the present, and contemplated the future.