By Atoyebi Nike
President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has urged UN member states to acknowledge what he described as a “silent genocide” devastating his country for more than 30 years.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Tshisekedi demanded an independent international inquiry and sanctions against those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in eastern DRC.
The region, rich in minerals, has suffered recurring violence, worsened by the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, which the UN accuses Rwanda of supporting. M23’s capture of Goma and Bukavu this year has displaced hundreds of thousands and left thousands dead.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will host an emergency conference in October to address the humanitarian crisis and reaffirm DRC’s sovereignty.
