A group of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) nationals took to the streets of Pretoria on Tuesday to express their outrage and frustration over the escalating conflict in eastern Congo.
The protesters squarely blamed the Rwandan-backed M23 militia for the recent surge in violence.
Rallying under the banner “Defense of the Nation”, they marched from Magnolia Park in Sunnyside to the Embassy of the European Union (EU), where they submitted their memorandum of grievances.
The memorandum included a demand for an immediate end to all military and financial support to the Rwandan government, which was sparked by Rwanda’s alleged backing of the M23 militia linked to violence and instability in eastern Congo.
They also called for targeted sanctions against Rwandan military leaders and political figures implicated in the conflict, and Rwanda to be suspended from participating in international organisations such as the United Nations.
Protesters also demanded that Rwanda face justice, calling for investigations to be opened by the International Court of Justice to probe the country’s actions and the International Criminal Court to investigate the M23 militia.
DR Congo civil society leader, Pastor Gilbert Kongolo, said the purpose of the protest was to stand against the injustices plaguing the DRC.
He slammed the international community for its deafening silence in the face of violence against Congolese people.
“So, we are here to say enough is enough. We’re taking our message to the EU, holding them accountable for their inaction, which only serves to perpetuate the destruction of Congo,” he said.
He also extended gratitude to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for their solidarity and support in the fight for justice. At least 14 members of the SANDF, who were on a peace-keeping mission, lost their lives as a result of the ongoing violence.
Kongolo said: “We are here to say you (SANDF) are our heroes and one day Congo will name some streets after your names. You stood for us and that is the ubuntu spirit in Africa. We present our condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in Congo. Their loss is our loss.”
He expressed heartbreak over the DRC, a mineral-rich country struggling to thrive due to imperialist exploitation.
“They (imperialists) don’t want to come through the main gate; they are coming through the backdoor to come and steal and that is a problem,” he said.
He said similar protests have been organised elsewhere in the world, with the Congolese diaspora in countries like the USA, Canada, France, and Belgium actively participating.
A Congolese living in Pretoria, Pierrette Masamombo Bangala, said: “We are here to say no to violence and to the selling of our country. We are Congolese, we have the right to be in Congo and we can’t be in a country where there is war all the time.”
She called for Rwandan President Paul Kagame to withdraw the M23 from DRC, saying she yearns to return home and live in her beloved nation without fear.
“We are not saying that the Rwandans are not welcomed in our country but they can come as visitors. They can come and apply for permanent residence in Congo,” she said.
The protesters gave the EU a 14-day ultimatum to respond to their demands.