Title: Commemorative march of the assassination of Mgr Christophe Munzihirwa in Bukavu: Demand justice and reparation for the victims
Introduction :
On October 29, 1996, Mgr Christophe Munzihirwa, bishop of Bukavu, was brutally assassinated with his collaborators in Nyawera. To commemorate this tragic event and pay tribute to the victims of the killings perpetrated during the rebellions in South Kivu, dozens of people gathered in Bukavu for a march. The objective of this march was twofold: to demand justice and reparation for the victims, and to obtain guarantees that such acts will not happen again. This article returns to this commemorative march and the demands of the organizers.
A tribute to Mgr Christophe Munzihirwa and to all the victims of the rebellions in South Kivu:
The October 29 commemoration was a tribute to Mgr Christophe Munzihirwa, considered a baobab and a library for the South Kivu region. His sudden death marked an immense loss for the community. But this commemoration was also a way of paying tribute to all the victims of the various rebellions which shook the region, in particular during the entry of the AFDL, the RCD, Nkundabatware, Mutebusi and other armed groups.
Demand justice and reparation:
Survivors of these atrocities have expressed their pain and suffering, highlighting the fact that they have never benefited from transitional justice or criminal justice. This march was therefore an opportunity to demand justice and reparation for the victims, so that those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice and the victims finally obtain reparation for the harm suffered.
Fear of repetition of inhumane acts:
Besides demanding justice, the organizers of the march also expressed concern that such inhumane acts could be repeated in the future. They urged the authorities to take the necessary measures to prevent further violence and to ensure that such acts are never repeated in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Conclusion :
The commemorative march of the assassination of Mgr Christophe Munzihirwa in Bukavu was an opportunity for the population of South Kivu to pay tribute to all the victims of the rebellions which ravaged the region. Beyond the commemoration, participants demanded justice and reparation for the victims, while expressing their fear of seeing such inhumane acts happen again. It is now essential that the authorities take into account these legitimate demands and put in place the necessary measures to ensure security and justice for all.