### Analysis of the Document of the National Mechanism for Monitoring the Addis Ababa Agreement on Crimes in Goma and Bukavu
On May 20, the national mechanism for monitoring the Addis Ababa agreement presented an analysis document on serious and massive crimes that occurred between January and April 2023 in Goma and Bukavu, two strategic cities located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This report, of a hundred pages, was revealed during a significant event, in the presence of many government authorities, including those of the Ministries of the Interior and the National Defense.
### An alarming observation
The mechanism coordinator, Alphonse Ntumba Lwaba, stressed the importance of this document as an act of solidarity towards victims of violence, before a situation marked by human rights violations, whose scale is described as alarming. The preparation of this document within a state framework and in the presence of political figures can be perceived as an engaging approach for justice and the truth. However, it also questions the real conditions that allow access to effective justice.
The highlighting of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other acts of genocide is part of a desire to document atrocities to carry them on the international scene. Could this approach be sufficient to catalyze a concrete response on the international judicial level, or would it remain to remain a symbolic act in the face of a harshly rooted crisis?
### A tool for justice or a political instrument?
The Minister of Human Rights mentioned in her speech that this document represents an essential tool to bring together the evidence necessary for reports intended for judicial bodies. This ambition raises questions about the ability of Congolese institutions to conduct a transparent investigation and establish clear responsibility for reported crimes. Indeed, several decades of conflict in the east of the country have left deeply anchored consequences, and it is legitimate to wonder if the mechanisms of justice, often perceived as defaulting, can actually meet the expectations of the population.
The Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya, expressed a clear wish: that those responsible for these acts be brought to justice. This raises the question of the delicate balance between seeking peace and the need for justice. Indeed, sacrificing justice in favor of a false calm could be a short -term solution, but this could install endless cycles of violence. A deeper reflection on liable and construction of a solidly solid judicial system is therefore necessary to avoid the repetition of such acts.
### A complex humanitarian situation
The report indicates that the war in eastern DRC has cost around 12 million people in the past thirty years. This tragic context highlights not only the urgency of a response to violence and abuses, but also the importance of addressing the deep causes of this conflict. The question of complicated relationships between Rwanda and DRC, especially through the phenomenon of armed groups such as M23, requires special attention. A holistic approach to these issues could involve reconciliation initiatives that go beyond criminal law.
### Towards a collective reflection
The path to peace and justice in the DRC is paved with pitfalls, and the recent report of the national mechanism for monitoring the Addis Ababa agreement crystallize this reality. The Congolese authorities, while affirming their commitment to justice and transparency, must also be aware of the need for a large consultation with actors of civil society and human rights organizations.
The valuation of the testimonies of the victims and the support of institutional reforms are all avenues that should be explored to build not only a fair story of events, but also a framework conducive to lasting peace.
While this document marks a step towards the recognition of endured suffering, it is crucial that this dynamic is not limited to a simple communication operation, but really engages the country towards sustainable solutions and an effective fight against impunity. The quest for justice should not be an empty word, but a lever for social transformation at the service of an entire nation in search of serenity.