During a televised interview on December 27, 2025, General Ekenge warned men to be cautious about marrying Tutsi women. He claimed that ancestral customs among the Tutsi could influence households in harmful ways, stating:

"A man must be careful because these are practices of the traditional leaders. They give you a wife, but someone from her family may interfere and claim the children are theirs, implying Tutsi influence dominates."

While the program was intended to discuss national security in eastern DRC, the general singled out a specific ethnic group, raising concerns about the potential for increased ethnic tensions. Observers note that rhetoric of this nature, especially from high-ranking officials, can destabilize communities and contribute to conflict.

Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Prévot, described Ekenge’s remarks as unacceptable, emphasizing that hate speech from government officials must be condemned and that efforts to promote unity and respect between communities are essential.

Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that dehumanizing language, even when subtle, can lead to discrimination, exclusion, and violence. The international community continues to monitor the situation, urging responsible communication and protection of all communities in the DRC.