DRC: in Goma, several thousand people demonstrate on the border with Rwanda

Demonstration in support of the Congolese army against the M23 rebel movement, June 15, 2022 in Goma.

REUTERS - STRINGER

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

In a context of tension between Kinshasa and Kigali, the demonstrators went to the border and to the barriers that separate the two countries.

A single watchword: to denounce “

 Rwandan aggression 

”.

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From 7 a.m. this morning, the demonstrators were in the streets of Goma, towards the Rwandan border.

Many of them expressed their anger and wanted to cross the barriers that separate Congo and Rwanda.

For Mapendo Kusudi, coordinator of the Club of Human Rights Auditors and one of the organizers of the demonstration, the message is clear: "

No to Rwandan aggression, no to the occupation of the country by the M23 rebellion. , yes to the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo which is fighting for the integrity of the territory. 

»

When we see the strained relationship between our two countries and the hypocrisy of Rwanda, we say no!

Rwanda is playing hide and seek [...] Congolese civil society demands the breaking off of diplomatic relations with this neighboring country.

Mapendo Kusudi explains the demands of the participants in this rally

Since the attacks of the M23 movement have multiplied in eastern Congo, tensions have been rising between the two countries.

The DRC accuses its neighbor of supporting the rebel group

and

Kigali denies

it .

Espoir Ngalukiye, an activist in the Lucha citizen movement, is waiting for a

clear position from President Félix Tshisekedi

We ask the President of the Republic to speak.

He must speak.

Otherwise, his silence is culpable.

The Congolese government must not be satisfied with symbolic things.

To denounce belongs to civil society.

To act, to sanction, to foresee, belongs to the government.

 So far, the Congolese authorities have contented themselves with " 

condemning the participation of the Rwandan authorities in supporting the M23 

".

But civil society is waiting for a more concrete reaction.

She wants the severing of diplomatic ties between the Congo and Rwanda.

The demonstrators were pushed back by the police, after which violence broke out.

Two churches were attacked, businesses looted.

All owned by Congolese Tutsis.

Master Germain Ruvugiro, member of civil society, deplores this violence and especially the amalgam that is made between Congolese and Rwandan Tutsis. 

Master Germain Ruvugiro

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