The Democratic Republic of Congo is constantly plagued by violence and political instability. Political actors are urged to refrain from resorting to violent strategies to gain and maintain power, according to a press conference organized by the newly created National Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CN-CPI) on June 16, 2023 in Kinshasa.
The national coordinator of the CN-CPI, Msgr. Pax Marie André Kito Masimango, highlighted the human rights violations that have occurred during the last quarter. He cited crimes committed by armed groups, violations relating to mining in some provinces, as well as post-election political violence. Bishop Kito also pointed to violations in the east of the country, notably in North Kivu and Ituri by Rwanda, through the M23 group.
Mining in the provinces of Katanga and South Kivu is also a problem. Bishop Kito deplored the military and organizational control of the area and the question of identity which can bring confusion in the mining regions. Political violations often come from certain groups and political groupings that mobilize their militants to commit acts of violence. According to Bishop Kito, these groups, motivated by their political interests, are not in phase to encourage peace in the country.
The National Coalition for the International Criminal Court is a group made up of more than three hundred NGOs who have come together against impunity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They ask Congolese justice to remain independent of political pressure and recommend that the ICC issue other arrest warrants against the personalities who operate and finance these armed groups to avoid serious human rights violations.
The calls for real measures in favor of peace must be heard, so that the situation in the DRC can truly improve. Peace is essential for the economic and social development of the country and the well-being of its people who need it so much.