Kamuina Nsapu Conflict Victims Still Seek Justice Nine Years Later

Nearly seven years after the Kamuina Nsapu conflict ended, victims in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to demand justice. The violence, which raged between 2016 and 2017, left deep scars on the collective memory of the area. Despite the return of peace, many families still bear the burden of grief and trauma.

The conflict pitted Congolese security forces against militia members loyal to the traditional chief Kamuina Nsapu. The United Nations estimates that around 5,000 people died, with thousands more displaced, injured, or subjected to severe human rights violations. Victims' organizations report that many alleged perpetrators have yet to face trial.

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Our house was burned and our mother killed. This tragedy affected our father so much that he developed hypertension and died a few months later.

Survivors struggle to move forward, recounting harrowing experiences such as homes being burned and family members killed. These tragedies have had lasting impacts, contributing to health issues and further loss. Similar stories echo across the Kasai province, where families await justice and accountability for the perpetrators.

To honor the victims and show solidarity, the National Association of Victims of Congo (ANVC) organized a two-day commemoration in Tshikapa. Supported by the National Fund for Reparation of Victims of Conflict-Related Violence, the event focused on memory, truth, justice, and reconciliation. The ANVC is advocating for the government and partners to officially recognize the dignity of those who lost their lives and to provide victims with necessary material, psychological, and official support.

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We are advocating with the Congolese government and partners so that the dignity of all those who lost their lives in conflict-related violence is fully recognized and honored.