The testimonials that have reached the editorial staff of our blog are overwhelming. Bombardments by the regular Sudanese army caused the death of ten Congolese students in Khartoum. This information is confirmed both by a press release from the Congolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by a declaration by the Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya. The document made public by Christophe Lutundula, the Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, contains the names of the deceased students.
The Congolese government is deeply shocked and outraged by this tragedy. Thus, in the context of an interview with the Sudanese charge d’affaires in Kinshasa, the Deputy Prime Minister presented the condolences of the Democratic Republic of Congo and asked the Sudanese authorities to open an investigation to shed light on this affair. The Kinshasa government is also demanding the repatriation of Congolese victims and their burial in their country of origin.
For the time being, no reason has been advanced as to the reasons that prompted the Sudanese army to carry out these bombardments. This tragedy comes in a context of tension between the DRC and Sudan, which in the past have had trouble over questions of territoriality.
This event once again bears witness to the worrying rise in violence against Congolese nationals abroad. In recent years, abuses and other crimes against Congolese nationals in several African countries have been on the increase. It is a scourge that calls for a prompt reaction from the governing authorities of these countries, but also from international organizations responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens.
We express here all our condolences to the families of the victims and call on the competent authorities to do their utmost to ensure that justice is done.