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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Conflict & Security

DRC Commemorates Genocide Day with Victim Testimonies, Calls for Justice

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Democratic Republic of Congo commemorated the National Genocide Day (GENOCOST) with moving testimonies from victims of atrocities in the East.
  • Over 1.2 million potential victims have been recorded nationwide, with 4,000 already recognized by the justice system for administrative reparations.
  • Commemorations across DRC urged for justice, reconciliation, and the preservation of collective memory to prevent future tragedies.

The Democratic Republic of Congo marked its fourth National Genocide Day (GENOCOST) on Sunday, August 2, with solemn commemorations and poignant victim testimonies in multiple cities. In Kinshasa, before the presidential couple, survivors shared harrowing accounts of atrocities endured in the country's eastern regions.

More than 1.2 million potential victims have been recorded nationwide. Among them, 4,000 have already been validated by the justice system and integrated into the single list of beneficiaries of administrative reparations.

— Patrick FataDirector General of the National Fund for Reparations (FONAREV), reporting on the number of victims.

Patrick Fata, director general of the National Fund for Reparations (FONAREV), reported that over 1.2 million potential victims have been identified nationwide. Of these, 4,000 have been officially recognized by the justice system and are slated to receive administrative reparations. Candles were lit in Kinshasa's Limete commune to honor victims of the "Congolese Genocide perpetrated by Rwanda and its M23/AFC allies," according to organizers.

This commemoration must pave the way for true restorative justice, implemented within a transitional justice process. Beyond legal proceedings, it is essential to guarantee victims their right to truth, adequate reparations, official recognition of the harm suffered, and guarantees of non-repetition.

— Crispin KobolongoPresident of the NGO 'Action Against Violations of Rights of Vulnerable Persons,' advocating for justice and reparations.

Crispin Kobolongo, national president of the NGO "Action Against Violations of Rights of Vulnerable Persons," stressed the need for "true restorative justice" within a transitional justice framework. He emphasized that beyond legal proceedings, victims are entitled to truth, adequate reparations, official acknowledgment of harm, and guarantees of non-repetition.

We must promote dialogue and reconciliation to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

— Grâce BiloloGovernor of Kongo-Central, calling for peace and reconciliation.

Commemorations extended to other provinces. In Matadi, Kongo-Central Governor Grâce Bilolo called for justice, peace, and reconciliation, urging that perpetrators be held accountable while promoting dialogue to prevent recurrence. In Bunia, Ituri province, Xavier Macky of FONAREV highlighted the importance of collective memory in the pursuit of truth, justice, and reparations for crimes committed in the DRC. In Kenge, Kwango governor Willy Bitwisila initiated a service to honor genocide victims and raise awareness around the theme: "Now that you know, what do you do?" Tshopo's interim governor, Didier Lomoyo, described the GENOCOST commemoration as a moment for remembrance, truth, and responsibility.

The crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo cannot be ignored, minimized, or relegated to oblivion. Our collective memory constitutes the foundation of our quest for truth, justice, and reparation.

— Xavier MackyProvincial coordinator of FONAREV in Bunia, emphasizing the importance of collective memory.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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