Amnesty International has urged an investigation into a former Congo governor and two army officials for potential crimes against humanity linked to a protest crackdown that left at least 56 people dead in August 2023. The deadly response during the Goma demonstration against UN peacekeeping forces raised concerns about excessive use of force and accountability for security personnel. The organization seeks justice for victims and insists on the need to reassess legal actions against the implicated individuals.
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into a former governor and two senior army officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo regarding potential crimes against humanity committed during a violent crackdown on protesters last year. This request follows a report detailing how security forces killed at least 56 individuals and injured 80 during a demonstration in Goma in August 2023, which was held in opposition to the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) in the region. The protest, organized by a local sect known as Wazalendo, emerged amidst longstanding frustrations among Congolese citizens regarding the failing peacekeeping efforts against rampant armed violence perpetuated by numerous militia groups.
Following the protest, which Goma’s Mayor Faustin Napenda Kapend sought to ban, Amnesty International’s investigation found no adequate justification for the military’s lethal response. The human rights organization pointed to operational directives instructing security forces to neutralize perceived threats, evidencing that the violent escalation was not accidental but instead carried out through calculated measures ordered by the authorities. They identified key officials: Lt. Gen. Constant Ndima, Col. Mike Kalamba Mikombe, and Maj. Peter Kabwe, suggesting that they should face legal accountability for their roles in the massacre.
Amnesty International has strongly urged Congolese authorities to revisit the investigation of the events to align with international and regional norms for justice. The regional director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, emphasized the necessity of accountability for those responsible, advocating for the suspension of the implicated officials and the re-examination of prior convictions, whereby justice may be served for the victims and their families.
Eastern Congo has been plagued by violence and instability for decades, with over 120 armed groups vying for control over land, resources, and power, resulting in millions displaced. The MONUSCO mission was established in 2010 to assist the Congolese government and safeguard civilians; however, its efficacy has been called into question as citizens increasingly protest its presence, feeling unprotected amid continuing violence. The protest in Goma, arranged by the Wazalendo sect, is part of broader dissatisfaction towards the UN’s role, particularly following a rise in rebel attacks following the UN mission’s establishment. The recent crackdown on demonstrators highlights the tensions between government forces, civilian protest rights, and the ongoing calls for justice from human rights organizations.
The request for investigations into former Governor Constant Ndima and army officers Col. Mikombe and Maj. Kabwe reflects the urgent need to address accountability for human rights violations in Congo. Amnesty International’s findings underscore a pattern of systemic use of excessive force by security forces against protesters, advocating for a pressing reassessment of justice protocols. Through these investigations, it is crucial to establish the truth and ensure that responsible parties are held accountable, demonstrating a commitment to human rights in Congo.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
