A campaign called “6 million voices for justice in Congo” is being led by Amnesty International.

The initiative seeks to collect six million signatures through a petition to demand justice for victims of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has lasted for over thirty years.

“We were born in war”

In Goma’s Kasika neighborhood, Noël Chiza, 37, says he has never known peace. A victim of numerous acts of violence throughout his life, this father of five is outraged to see some of those he considers his tormentors now holding positions of responsibility in public institutions, rather than being held accountable before the law.

“We were born in war, we grow up in war, we have experienced atrocities of all kinds and we risk even dying in war. That is why we cannot continue to reward those who have committed crimes by integrating them into institutions, whether at local or national level,” Chiza testified.

Millions of victims still alive

The six million signatures sought by Amnesty International refer to the estimated number of people who have died as a result of conflicts in eastern DR Congo.

But behind that figure are also millions of other, less visible victims who are still alive. Among them are those who, like Josué Wallay, were forced to flee their home region.

“Today I am displaced in Kinshasa, far from my community and my living environment, because of the conflicts raging in eastern DR Congo. This displacement is not a choice of comfort; it is a break from my environment, my habits, my activities and part of what gave meaning to my daily life. The conflicts have affected me on multiple levels,” Josué Wallay explained.

Justice as a condition for lasting peace

For Raphaël Wakenge, a human rights defender involved in the “6 million voices for justice in Congo” campaign, fighting impunity is essential to achieving lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Congolese justice suffers not only from a lack of capacity, but also from a lack of political will. We need a justice system capable of providing answers to victims, including through reparations. We call on all those who stand in solidarity with Congolese victims to join this campaign.”

Through this campaign, Amnesty International is also calling for October 1 to be declared a “National Day of Reflection and Action on Crimes under International Law Committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”