The violent repression of the demonstration which took place on August 30 in Goma, in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, continues to make waves. The official toll, which was initially 43 dead, was revised upwards and now stands at 51 deaths, according to Interior Minister Peter Kazadi.
During a joint press conference with the Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya, the Deputy Prime Minister reported on the measures taken by the government in response to this tragedy. These measures include the recall of the military governor, the suspension of two national police officials, the indictment of senior army officers involved in the repression, the release of certain members of the citizen movements, as well as the caring for the injured and organizing funerals.
Peter Kazadi also recognized that there had been security failures during the demonstration and deplored the attempts at political and social recovery aimed at amplifying the situation.
It is important to emphasize that this repressed demonstration was organized by followers of the sect “Messianic Judaic Natural Faith towards the Nations”, also known as “Wazalendo”. The police used excessive violence, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people and dozens of injuries. A number of protesters were arrested and their trial began on September 1 before the military court in Goma.
This tragedy shocked public opinion and sparked demands for justice and accountability. Senior military officials were detained and the military governor of North Kivu was recalled to Kinshasa for consultation.
It is essential that concrete measures are taken to ensure that such violence is not repeated in the future. Protecting citizens’ rights must be a top priority and it is essential that those responsible for this brutal repression are held accountable for their actions.
It is also crucial to emphasize the importance of the role of the media and civil society in denouncing such human rights violations. Journalists and human rights defenders play a crucial role in disseminating information, documenting abuses and highlighting often hidden truths.
It is hoped that the truth will come out and that justice will be done to the victims of this repression. The eyes of the world are on Goma and it is essential that the international community supports the efforts of the Democratic Republic of Congo to guarantee justice and promote the fundamental rights of all its citizens. Violence and impunity cannot be tolerated, and it is time to give a voice to those who have been silenced.