Amnesty International has urged for a thorough investigation into a former governor and two high-ranking army officials in Congo for alleged 'possible crimes against humanity' during a violent crackdown on demonstrators last year. The incident occurred during a protest against the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the country.
The human rights organization's report revealed that Congo's security forces were responsible for the deaths of at least 56 individuals and the injury of 80 others during a protest in Goma in August 2023. The protest was organized by a group known as Wazalendo, who were demonstrating against the presence of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, in Congo.
MONUSCO was deployed to Congo in 2010 to protect civilians and humanitarian workers and to assist the Congolese government in its efforts to stabilize the region. However, many Congolese feel unprotected from rebel attacks, leading to several protests against the U.N. mission.
Eastern Congo has been plagued by armed violence for years, with numerous groups vying for power, land, and valuable mineral resources. This has resulted in mass displacement, with over 7 million people forced to flee their homes.
Amnesty International disputed claims by authorities that the violence was sparked by Wazalendo followers attacking a police officer, stating that the massacre was a result of deliberate, planned actions by Congolese authorities.
The rights group identified three top officials, including a former governor and two army officers, who should be investigated and potentially prosecuted for their roles in the violence. Lt. Gen. Constant Ndima, Col. Mike Kalamba Mikombe, and Maj. Peter Kabwe were implicated in the report for their alleged involvement in the deadly crackdown.
While one of the officials has been convicted and sentenced to death, the other two have not faced justice. Amnesty International called on Congolese authorities to reopen investigations into the incident, hold all responsible parties accountable, and ensure that justice is served.
The organization also urged President Felix Tshisekedi to take action by suspending the implicated officials, conducting further investigations, and prohibiting certain military units from engaging in law enforcement operations.
