The notables from South Kivu province, led by the consortium Pacte Uzalendo, gathered in Kinshasa to mark the 30th anniversary of the start of war in their region. On October 25, 1996, Uvira fell to rebels for the first time, marking the beginning of three decades of war, rape, and pillage of minerals. The notables expressed their disappointment that, despite efforts to bring perpetrators to justice, many victims are still waiting for effective and comprehensive justice.
The notables from South Kivu deplored the choice of armed rebellion by Joseph Kabila, saying it is a deep wound, a betrayal of memory, and a historical mistake. They recalled the devastating experience of war in regions such as Uvira, Fizi, Mwenga, and Shabunda, where their villages were burned, women were raped, and children were recruited as soldiers. The notables emphasized that they know what rebellion means and that it is not the solution to rebuild a nation.
In a statement, the notables urged Joseph Kabila to return to the republican framework of national dialogue and to focus on mediation for peace, rather than leading an armed front. They emphasized that the true refoundation of a nation passes through justice, memory, truth, and cohesion, not through weapons and innocent blood. The notables also called on the inhabitants of Uvira, Fizi, Mwenga, and Shabunda to remain vigilant.
The consortium Pacte Uzalendo presented two key demands for a credible and historical national dialogue. Firstly, they called for the creation of an international penal tribunal for the Democratic Republic of Congo to judge all crimes committed on Congolese soil since 1993. Secondly, they requested the creation of the province of Mitumba, which would be an act of territorial justice and reparation for the people of South Kivu.
The notables from South Kivu emphasized that dialogue should not mean amnesty for grave crimes and that a national dialogue can contribute to ending violence and restoring peace. They stressed that justice and reparation are essential for the affected populations and that the international community should support these efforts.
The situation in South Kivu remains fragile, with ongoing violence and humanitarian needs. The notables' statement reflects the concerns of many Congolese who are tired of war and want to see justice and peace restored in their country. The international community is following the situation closely, and there are ongoing efforts to support peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The call by the notables from South Kivu for Joseph Kabila to abandon his armed rebellion and for a credible national dialogue is a significant development in the country's ongoing crisis. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve and whether the international community will support the efforts of the Congolese people to achieve justice and peace.
Key points
- Notables from South Kivu province urge Joseph Kabila to abandon armed rebellion.
- The consortium Pacte Uzalendo demands the creation of an international penal tribunal for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The notables call for the creation of the province of Mitumba as an act of territorial justice and reparation.
