**Images of the commemoration of the Genocost in the DRC in 2024**
The moving event that took place in Kisangani on August 2, 2024 to commemorate the Genocost in the Democratic Republic of Congo left a deep impression. The poignant testimonies of the victims of the atrocities committed in the east of the country aroused strong emotion, even among officials who came from Kinshasa. The scenes of violence, suffering and despair revealed the scale of the tragedies experienced by the population of eastern DRC.
The signs of hope are slim, but real, with the signing of a ceasefire agreement in Luanda on July 29. This agreement, although fragile, opens up a prospect of peace in a region torn apart by armed conflict and human rights violations. However, caution is still required given a history of ceasefires not respected and the continued presence of Rwandan soldiers on Congolese soil, which amounts to a declaration of war.
The reactions of the international community to this situation are not unanimous. While some countries such as Belgium and the United States express their concern and condemn Rwanda’s actions, others are struggling to take concrete measures to sanction those responsible for human rights violations. The European Union has imposed limited sanctions on certain individuals, but without explicitly naming the instigator of the abuses.
The DRC is thus faced with the complexity of diplomatic relations, oscillating between the political and economic interests of its international partners. Verbal condemnations of aggression and illegal exploitation of natural resources remain insufficient to put an end to the suffering of the Congolese people.
Faced with these strategic challenges, the DRC must make decisive choices to defend its interests and ensure the security of its citizens. It is crucial for the country to make courageous decisions and free itself from the political and economic pressures that hamper its sovereignty.
The commemoration of the Genocost in the DRC in 2024 revealed the urgency of finding lasting solutions to end conflicts and human rights violations in the Great Lakes region. The images of this ceremony recall the need for collective and concerted action to establish peace and justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo.