The news of recent days in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been marked by an unprecedented protest movement. Since February 10, 2024, the population of Kinshasa has forcefully denounced the atrocities taking place in the east of the country. The protests grew in size and paralyzed activities in the city center, blocking traffic on several arteries in the capital.
The demonstrators denounce the indifference of the international community in the face of the aggression of the M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda. They express their discontent and anger by brandishing banners accusing Paul Kagame and Western countries of complicity in the genocide taking place in the east of the DRC.
This citizen mobilization is welcomed by many women met in the streets of Kinshasa. They recognize the importance of denouncing the hypocrisy of the international community, but nevertheless call for peaceful demonstrations, respecting the rights of others. They emphasize that all these demonstrations cannot provide an effective solution and that victory against the rebel groups can only come from the Congolese army.
Other voices are being raised to denounce the interference of the international community in the affairs of the DRC. Some even propose to take radical measures, such as stopping using their currency, importing their products and using their products on Congolese soil, in order to regain independence from these countries which exploit Congo’s resources. while remaining indifferent to the suffering of the Congolese people.
Despite the arrest of certain demonstrators by the police, the resistance of the population does not weaken. The Congolese say they will continue to fight and demand justice for their brothers and sisters who die every day in the east of the country.
This protest also has economic consequences, with the closure of many stores and the paralysis of commercial activities for fear of looting during the demonstrations. Only small stalls, such as telephone booths, took the risk of remaining open.
In conclusion, the unprecedented mobilization of the Congolese population in Kinshasa to denounce the atrocities in eastern DRC highlights the crying need for justice and support from the international community. The Congolese express their frustration at the indifference and interference of certain Western countries, while emphasizing the need for a military solution to end the violence in the east of the country.