The Collectif des élus français originaires du Congo-Kinshasa (CEFOCK) has unveiled plans for a comprehensive diplomatic offensive in France to secure official recognition of the GENOCOST—the genocide linked to resource exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The campaign will launch at the start of the French parliamentary term, following a high-level meeting with President Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa.
The initiative centers on a multi-pronged strategy: raising public awareness through memorial events, hosting targeted conferences, and engaging in advocacy with French territorial authorities, national institutions, and the Congolese diaspora in France. The goal is clear—to transform the GENOCOST from a humanitarian concern managed by NGOs into a core public policy issue.
Breaking the silence on a forgotten tragedy
The CEFOCK’s efforts aim to shatter the silence surrounding the massacres perpetrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By leveraging their political influence in France, the collective seeks to elevate the GENOCOST to the level of other internationally recognized genocides, ensuring it receives the same level of diplomatic and legislative attention.
A government-backed alliance for justice
To reinforce their campaign, the CEFOCK will collaborate closely with the Commission interinstitutionnelle d’aide aux victimes et d’appui aux réformes (CIA-VAR), a Congolese government body tasked with documenting atrocities, supporting victims, and preserving historical memory. This partnership will focus on two primary objectives:
- Preserving memory: Ensuring the stories of victims are not lost to history through archival initiatives and public remembrance activities.
- Securing recognition: Pushing for official acknowledgment of the GENOCOST to pave the way for reparations and justice mechanisms.
President Tshisekedi endorsed the initiative, framing it as a vital contribution to the DRC’s broader diplomatic memory strategy on the global stage.
The diaspora’s pivotal role in driving change
The Congolese diaspora in France, now represented in municipal, departmental, and regional councils, is emerging as a key player in this fight. With elected officials advocating on their behalf, the diaspora is transitioning from passive witness to active political force. Their campaign targets French lawmakers to push for parliamentary recognition of the GENOCOST—a move modeled after historic recognitions of other genocides.
This mobilization aligns with recent domestic actions in the DRC. On August 2, during the national GENOCOST commemoration in Kinshasa, President Tshisekedi inaugurated plans for a National Museum of the GENOCOST and a dedicated memorial. These projects underscore Kinshasa’s commitment to institutionalizing remembrance and ensuring the genocide’s victims are honored.
By combining domestic initiatives with international advocacy, the Democratic Republic of Congo is positioning itself to secure the long-overdue recognition of the GENOCOST, a critical step toward justice and reparations for its people.
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