On August 2 each year, the Congolese community around the world commemorates the Congolese Genocide. This annual event aims to pay tribute to all the victims of the conflicts that shook the Congo. This year, a special meeting is organized in Goma, at the BDGL roundabout, where shocking images expose the horrors suffered by our compatriots.
Congolese Genocide Memorial Day is an essential initiative to ensure that the history of this conflict is never forgotten. By honoring the victims, we ensure we do not forget what happened and we work together to achieve justice for those who have been unfairly affected.
Why August 2? This date marks the start of the Second Congo War, also called the African World War. This is the day in 1998 when the Banyamulenge rebellion, known as the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie (RCD), attacked the city of Goma with the support of Rwanda and Uganda. This conflict is considered one of the deadliest since World War II, resulting in the deaths of more than 6 million people and numerous atrocities, including the systematic rape of Congolese women and children.
The term “genocide” is used to describe these atrocities because they are acts committed with the intent to destroy all or part of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. The rapes, murders and other forms of violence inflicted on the Congolese people in order to exploit their natural resources are blatant examples of genocide. Unfortunately, the international community has often turned a blind eye to this critical situation, leaving the Congolese to fight alone to achieve justice and peace.
This is why Congolese Genocide Memorial Day is so important. It provides the Congolese community, both in Congo and in the diaspora, with an opportunity to recognize the Congolese genocide, commemorate the lives lost and work together to find solutions and achieve lasting peace. It is a reminder that we must not forget the millions of lives sacrificed, in order to build a better future for Congo.
It is crucial that we continue to report on these tragic events in our blogs and online publications. By sharing this information and raising awareness, we are helping to make Congo’s voice heard and encourage justice and reconciliation. Let us never forget the victims of the Congolese Genocide and continue to fight for a future where such horrors will never be repeated.