On this June 20, the symbolic date of World Refugee Day, the world must confront a poignant and alarming reality: the dramatic situation of uprooted people in the Great Lakes sub-region. This humanitarian crisis, characterized by millions of people displaced and seeking safety, calls for concrete and urgent actions from regional leaders.
The call launched by Dieudonné Musagalusha, coordinator of the panel of civil society experts, for a meeting between Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame under the mediation of President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo, resonates as a glimmer of hope in a context marked by the suffering and distress of uprooted populations. It is imperative that leaders come together, put aside their differences and engage in constructive dialogue with a view to restoring peace and stability to the region.
The proposed negotiations and meetings between heads of state aim to put an end to this spiral of violence and forced displacement which causes immeasurable suffering for millions of people. It is time for the international community to mobilize to support these peace and reconciliation initiatives, in order to prevent all forms of discrimination and preserve human dignity.
The alarming figures provided by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) underline the urgency of the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where nearly 6 million people are internally displaced, particularly in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tanganyika. The deterioration of the living conditions of these displaced populations requires an immediate and coordinated humanitarian response to guarantee access to essential needs and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
The theme chosen for World Refugee Day 2024, “For a world that welcomes refugees”, resonates as a call to action and solidarity. It is time to show empathy, compassion and commitment to uprooted people, recognizing their suffering and working together to build a more inclusive and caring world.
In conclusion, the crisis of uprooted people in the Great Lakes sub-region requires a collective and coordinated response, based on respect for human rights, the promotion of peace and international solidarity. It is our duty, as citizens of the world, to mobilize in support of peace and reconciliation initiatives, in order to end the suffering and distress of vulnerable populations. The time to act is now, and we must seize this opportunity to build a better future for all.