Fatshimetrie, August 2, 2024 – This Friday in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo, survivors of the tragic “6-day war” shared their poignant testimonies during the commemorative ceremony of the Congolese Genocide (Genocost). These heartbreaking stories take us back to the horror experienced by the population of Kisangani from June 5 to 19, 2000, when the Rwandan and Ugandan armies violently clashed.
Through the words of Théthé Soli, a woman who lost both her legs at only 9 years old when her house was bombed, and Léon Kalume, whose life was turned upside down by the invasion of Rwandan forces in Mihambwe, we are confronted with the distress and indignation of the victims of these tragic events. Their calls for help and justice resonate strongly and underline the importance of acknowledging and repairing the suffering endured.
The commemoration of Genocost, this year under the theme “Homage to our millions of dead”, reminds everyone of the need to remember the countless lives lost and the families shattered by these conflicts. The construction of a monument in Kisangani in memory of the victims is a strong symbol of the commitment to never forget.
Scientists, such as Professor Norbert Ngoy Mwepu and Mr. Dieudonné Ngoie Mpanya, invite us to break the silence and highlight the tragedies that affect our society. Their book on child protection in times of war in the DRC underlines the importance of bearing witness and documenting these tragic events so as not to let them fall into oblivion.
On this day of remembrance, it is essential to remember past suffering and commit to preventing further acts of violence and genocide. The words of survivors and researchers resonate as a call to action and solidarity to build a better future, where peace and justice prevail.
National Genocost Day is more than just a commemoration, it is a poignant reminder of our duty to remember and our responsibility towards the victims of past and present conflicts. By honouring their memory, we commit to working towards a future where such tragedies will never happen again.