Congolese LGBTQ activist assaulted after speaking out on radio
Rebel control in eastern Congo puts queer people at risk, victim says
Alphonse Mihigo Ombeni, director and founder of the Congolese LGBTQI+ advocacy group Action for the Fight Against Social Injustice (ALCIS), was once again assaulted and robbed of his belongings as he left the FAN FM radio station in Bukuvu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on October 21. Ombeni believes the attack was motivated because of his advocacy for LGBT rights on the radio.
Ombeni had previously been the victim of a hate-motivated assault near the same radio station in November 2024, after he called out homophobic statements by the minister of justice.
Erasing 76 Crimes spoke to Ombeni about what happened and the actions he took following the attack.
Alphonse Mihigo Ombeni: I was attacked as I was leaving FAN FM radio station, which belongs to Amani Ngubiri, a prominent member of parliament. The attack took place shortly before 9 p.m. It happened near the Bukavu Pedagogical Institute, on the stairs. It’s not very far from my home.
I was heckled, then the attackers took my phone and the bag containing my computer. They hit me on the head…. When I left the office after a day’s work, I went to the radio station instead of dropping my things off at home to save time, but that was a mistake.
Erasing 76 Crimes: So it was a violent attack?
Alphonse Mihigo Ombeni: There was a criminal element, but it wasn’t a opportunistic robbery. I also think my attackers recognized me, because there are people who want to see me destroyed as an activist for the rights of sexual and gender minorities. What’s more, I express my views on the airwaves.
The fact that Bukavu has been held in the hands of M23 rebels since February makes the situation worse.
Erasing 76 Crimes: Did you go to the hospital or file a complaint following the attack?
Alphonse Mihigo Ombeni: I did not file a complaint. It’s not easy here. There could be reprisals. All it takes is for someone to pay a rebel to carry out a contract and you’re dead.
Then the local churches condemn LGBT+ people and we are treated like witches.
For several months, I have been accusing churches of working behind the scenes to silence people [Editor’s note: In a July 13 article, Mihigo Ombeni accused the pastor of the Sainte-Montagne Church in Ibanda, as well as Pastor Daniel Tchibo of the Rehema Church, of inciting hatred on the radio].
In response to my assault, ALCIS alerted other human rights organizations, including the Congolese Initiative for Justice and Peace (ICJP), SOS Legal Information for Multiple Sectors (SOS LIMS), as well as Agir Ensemble pour les Droits Humains (AEDH) internationally and Solidarité Internationale LGBTQI+.
Raphael Wakenge, coordinator of ICJP, came to visit me in the hospital to offer advice. He recommended that I stop broadcasting on the radio. The head of SOS Legal Information for Multiple Sectors did not come to see me because their offices are currently closed. Organizations based abroad have taken note of the situation.
Erasing 76 Crimes: What do you plan to do next?
Alphonse Mihigo Ombeni: It is likely that this violence will get the better of us and that we will have to move our offices to other locations.
