2023-09-07 12:12:27
GOMA – “Never alone again”, it is in these terms of assurance that the National Fund for Victims of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and Crimes Against the Peace and Security of Humanity (FONAREV) launched the hearing of the various testimonies of the victims of these conflicts. This listening session took place on Wednesday September 6 in Goma (North Kivu).
“The objective is to guarantee victims subsidies which will somewhat meet their priority needs,” said the General Director of FONAREV.
For more than two decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been confronted, more precisely in its eastern part, with scenes of armed conflicts which have caused thousands of victims. Going through the arrival of Rwandan refugees (1994), which gave rise to the Second Congo War (1998-2003) involving 9 African countries towards the war of the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) of Laurent Nkunda (2006- 2007), the March 23 movement, M23 (2009-2013) which has resurfaced since 2022, the increased activism of the allied Democratic Forces ADF/NALU and ADF/MTM since 1995. All these conflicts have caused numerous victims who remain today without any legal and social reparation.
Testimonials
« [..] That day, the FDLR [Force Démocratique pour la Libération du Rwanda : Ndlr] had invaded our house, they were looking for our dad, they shot him and injured him with a machete. They also shot my pregnant sister-in-law who died on the spot. I had lost three of my brothers that same day. From then on I no longer study because I have no one to help me. All I ask from FONAREV is to allow me to return to school.”
“I was kidnapped at the age of 14 by the FDLR. These rebels had raped me, when they released me, I was already pregnant and very traumatized. Today, I have a 15 year old child. I ask FONAREV to extract armed groups from the region, to consider the identity of children born from rape and their care. »
© CongoForum – Paulin Munyala,
Image – source: Congolese press
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