A petition that echoes across a nation scarred by war
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a groundbreaking campaign is putting the spotlight on an uncomfortable truth: after more than three decades of conflict, thousands of victims are still waiting for justice, while those accused of atrocities walk free. The initiative, led by Amnesty International, aims to collect six million signatures—a number that mirrors the estimated lives lost in the eastern Congo conflicts. But beyond the statistics, it represents a collective cry from a population that has known little but violence.
Born into war, living with impunity
In Goma’s Kasika neighborhood, 37-year-old Noël Chiza, a father of five, has never experienced peace. He has suffered repeated violence and now watches in frustration as some of those he considers his tormentors hold positions of power in public institutions. “We were born in war, we grow up in war, we have lived through atrocities of all kinds, and we may even die in war. That’s why we cannot continue to reward those who committed crimes by integrating them into institutions, whether locally or nationally,” he says.
A toll beyond the death count
The six million signatures sought by Amnesty International reference the estimated number of people who have died as a result of the conflicts in eastern DRC. Yet behind that figure lies another, less visible toll: millions of survivors, uprooted and displaced, whose lives have been shattered. Josué Wallay is one of them. Forced to flee his home region, he now lives as a displaced person in Kinshasa. “Today I am displaced in Kinshasa, far from my community and my way of life, because of the conflicts raging in eastern DRC. This displacement is not a choice of comfort; it is a rupture with my environment, my habits, my activities, and part of what gave meaning to my daily life. The conflicts have affected me on many levels,” he explains.
Justice as the cornerstone of lasting peace
For Raphaël Wakenge, a human rights defender involved in the campaign, fighting impunity is essential to achieving durable peace in the DRC. “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,” he says. The campaign also seeks to have October 1 declared a “National Day of Reflection and Action on Crimes under International Law Committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
What comes next? A society demands accountability
The petition has ignited a broader debate across the country about the price of impunity and the path to reconciliation. As signatures accumulate, pressure mounts on national and local authorities to address the grievances of victims. The initiative not only challenges the culture of silence but also tests the government’s willingness to confront its own past. For many Congolese, this is not just about collecting names on a list—it is about rewriting the future, one where those who suffered are heard and those who committed crimes are held to account. The road ahead is long, but the voices are growing louder.