Over the weekend, approximately 1,500 demonstrators gathered in the streets of Paris to express their solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), demanding an end to the violence that has been devastating the eastern region of the country.
The march, organized by the group ‘Urgence Pona Mboka,’ aimed to advocate for international intervention and to hold accountable those responsible for perpetuating the ongoing conflict.
Many protesters waved Congolese flags and carried signs with slogans such as “Stop the War,” “Our Wealth, Our Right,” and “Justice for the DRC,” articulating their frustration over the violence and the insufficient international support for the DRC amid the escalating crisis.
Gilcy, a participant in the protest, conveyed the collective anger and resolve of the crowd: “We are here today because we are tired of the situation in the east of the DRC. This conflict has persisted for 30 years, causing immense suffering. We urge the international community to impose stringent sanctions on Paul Kagame’s regime, so that we can finally bring an end to this conflict.”
Demonstrators called for a more robust response from global powers to take decisive action. An organizer from ‘Urgence Pona Mboka’ also spoke to the crowd, emphasizing the significance of unity and resilience.
I am present as one of the organizers of this demonstration, which aims to highlight the resilience of the Congolese people. We must remain steadfast and not allow ourselves to be disheartened or intimidated. The international community, led by France, along with Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the United States, continues to oppose us. Today, we have made our stance clear—our answer is a resounding no, and we are here to demonstrate that.
As the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo continues to experience turmoil, the protesters are urging the international community to take action before the situation deteriorates further.
