**Men, women and children, innocent victims of the ravages of war in the DRC**
The tragedy of the bombings in Mugunga, near Goma in the province of North Kivu, left an indelible mark on the hearts of many families and an entire nation. Today we bow with respect and compassion to the 35 souls lost during this merciless attack.
The burial ceremony held in Kibati was marked with sadness and dignity. In a poignant moment of communion, the victims’ loved ones paid a final tribute to their deceased, carrying the burden of immeasurable pain.
Their eyes filled with tears, their voices breaking with emotion, the families of the deceased expressed their dismay in the face of this blind violence which hit them hard. These victims, these faces who only asked to live in peace, were torn from their loved ones in an unleashing of senseless violence.
The urgent request for involvement of the Head of State to put an end to these barbaric acts perpetrated by Rwanda resonates like a cry of despair and indignation. The Minister of Social Affairs and National Solidarity, Modeste Mutinga, promised that crimes committed in the DRC will not go unpunished, offering a semblance of comfort to bereaved families.
On this disastrous day, the laying of wreaths in front of the coffins marked a solemn and poignant moment. The bodies of the victims, symbols of unimaginable cruelty, were taken to their final resting place, the Genocost memorial, as a testimony of memory and dignity.
As the horizon seems darkened by the torments of war and violence, it is our duty as a society to come together to condemn and combat all forms of atrocity. By honoring the memory of the disappeared, we affirm our commitment to peace, justice and solidarity.
May the voices of the 35 victims of the Mugunga bombings resonate as a call to collective conscience, reminding us that the loss of innocent lives must never be trivialized. Together, let us rise for a world where human dignity and peace prevail over the darkness of hatred and destruction.