Title: 21 years later, Kisangani remembers the massacre of May 14, 2002
May 14, 2002 is a dark date for the city of Kisangani, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. That day, the Boyome people took to the streets to oppose the foreign occupation of their land by the RCD army, supported by Rwanda. The peaceful demonstrations quickly turned into a bloodbath, causing hundreds of deaths and leaving indelible marks on the population.
The tragic awakening
It all started on the night of May 13 to 14, 2002, when soldiers and police were persuaded to join an operation aimed at driving Rwandans out of Kisangani. The mutineers, elements of the RCD, asked the local radio stations to relay their message to the Kinshasa government so that reinforcements could be dispatched to them. Unfortunately, these steps were delayed.
On the morning of May 14, a huge crowd armed with edged weapons gathered, with the mission of driving the Rwandans out of the city. This mob engaged in systematic looting, robbery, murder and other forms of attacks against civilians. Human beings considered as enemies were stoned or burned alive.
The authorities and MONUC did not act quickly to prevent this violence. The mutineers even declared that the two airports were closed to traffic except for MONUC flights.
21 years later
21 years later, the people of Kisangani remember this nightmarish day. Trauma still lives on in survivors. Associations and NGOs demand justice for the victims and the continuation of transitional justice efforts in the DRC.
This sad event is a reminder of the need to respect human rights, ensure the safety of all citizens and promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
In conclusion, Kisangani remembers and does not forget. Let’s hope that such tragedies are never repeated and that peace and justice reign in the DRC