"The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army suspended spokesperson Major General Sylvain Ekenge on Monday after he described the Tutsi community as ‘treacherous’ during a television interview, language used in Rwanda before the 1994 genocide. Footage from Goma on Tuesday showed sharply divided reactions, reflecting deep tensions in eastern Congo, where Tutsis are often blamed for the M23 conflict. “He truly deserved this suspension because we know the army is apolitical. But since he made discriminatory remarks, he went into politics. That’s why the elders saw he had crossed the line,” said Watuta Kubi, a Tutsi community member in Goma. “This kind of talk fuels tensions between our neighbours and us. Ordinary people have no problem with the Tutsi community, but politicians manipulate conflicts for their own ends.” Ekenge’s comments portrayed Tutsi women as agents of infiltration, warning Congolese men to ‘be careful’ when marrying them, and suggesting they could secretly father ‘superior’ Tutsi children, echoing genocidal rhetoric from Rwanda’s 1994 tragedy. “General Sylvain Ekenge only spoke the truth,” said Placide Itula, resident of Beni. “At a certain point, we must set aside hypocrisy and cowardice, in the sense that we are afraid to debate so-called taboo subjects. We want the DRC to progress; we must learn to face the truth. I am surprised that General Sylvain Ekenge's bravery cost him a suspension when he only revealed what hypocrites are afraid to say,” Itula added However, Civil society leader, Jean-Paul Mulagizi, said Ekenge should have been more restrained. “Given his high-ranking position, he should have toned down his message,” Mulagizi noted, adding that army officers married to Tutsi women could be exposed to discrimination. The army said the remarks were discriminatory, made in a personal capacity, and did not reflect the positions of the government, military command, or President Felix Tshisekedi. The comments follow President Tshisekedi’s December 22 meeting with two Congolese expatriates from the United States, Jean-Claude Mubenga and Kalonji Kabamba wa Mulumba, which officials said focused on national unity and sovereignty. The suspension comes amid ongoing fighting in eastern DRC, where clashes between government forces and the M23 rebel movement have displaced millions. This year, M23 seized major cities, including Goma and Bukavu. Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing the group, allegations Kigali denies."