As President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) prepares to address the United Nations General Assembly, a significant demonstration is set to take place outside the UN Headquarters, organized by members of the Congolese diaspora.
Organizers of the protest assert that millions, especially from the Tutsi ethnic group, have faced severe violence, which they describe as a silent genocide.
Demonstrators accuse the DRC government of neglecting the escalating ethnic violence in the eastern regions of the country.
“We cannot remain silent as our people are massacred,” stated Manzi Willy, a spokesperson for the organizers. “We demand that President Tshisekedi be held accountable for allowing these atrocities to continue unchecked.”
The participants hope to leverage the heightened global attention surrounding the UN General Assembly to pressure international leaders into taking action. Their demands include:
– International Accountability: Holding President Tshisekedi and DRC officials responsible for failing to protect the Tutsi population.
– Independent Investigation: Initiating a thorough investigation into alleged war crimes and genocidal acts, as well as the government’s role in the crisis.
– UN Intervention: Immediate deployment of UN peacekeeping forces to safeguard at-risk populations in the DRC, particularly the Tutsi community.
– Repatriation of Refugees: Ensuring the safe return of Congolese refugees from neighboring countries, guaranteeing their rights and safety.
– Ending Arbitrary Arrests: Halting the detention of Tutsis in Kinshasa and other areas across the country.
– Negotiations for Peace: Engaging with the M23 rebel group to bring an end to ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC.
– Addressing Governance Issues: Accountability for corruption, tribalism, and poor governance that have exacerbated the crisis.
Human Rights organizations have voiced concerns over the situation in the DRC, with estimates indicating thousands have been killed and many more displaced due to ethnic conflicts as vulnerable populations to suffer.
As global focus turns to the UN, the Congolese diaspora seeks to ensure that the cries of their people are heard and acted upon.
