Title: Peaceful demonstration in Goma: youth denounce the EAC’s alleged support for the M23 rebels
Introduction :
On Thursday, October 19, the Urban Youth Council and the Collective of Citizen Movements of Goma organized a peaceful march to denounce what they consider to be the passivity of the EAC troops in the M23 war. Equipped with DRC flags and calicoes, the young demonstrators were surrounded by the police and expressed their discontent at the headquarters of the EAC force in Himbi, where they handed over a memorandum to the deputy commander of the regional force of the EAC.
Body of the article:
In the memorandum read by Trésor Katoto, president of Goma’s urban youth council, protesters expressed concern about the role of the EAC in the war against the M23. According to their statement, instead of supporting the DRC forces and the Wazalendo patriots in their fight, the EAC troops appear to be blocking the situation. They claim that the M23 rebels are getting supplies of men and weapons from Rwanda and Uganda, but that the EAC is doing nothing to stop them.
The young demonstrators therefore ask the EAC to take concrete measures and put an end to all forms of support for the M23 rebels. They also want the EAC to play an active role in restoring stability in the region.
Reaction from the EAC:
The Deputy Commander of the EAC Regional Force received the memorandum from the protesters and discussed with them. He assured that the document would be transmitted to the level of the political body of the EAC, so that the concerns of the youth of Goma are taken into account.
Conclusion :
The peaceful demonstration organized by the youth of Goma is an illustration of the mobilizing power of civil society and Congolese youth. By expressing their dissatisfaction with the alleged passivity of the EAC in the M23 war, these young protesters showed their determination to make their voices heard and defend the interest of their country. It remains to be seen whether the EAC will take concrete steps in response to their concerns, but this demonstration nevertheless constitutes an important step towards finding solutions to end the conflict in the region.