GENOCOST, an acronym for “Congolese Genocide for Economic Gain”, refers to the violence and atrocities that plunged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into mourning for almost three decades. Since December 26, 2022, law n°22/065 has instituted August 2 as a national day of commemoration to honor the memory of the millions of victims of these murderous conflicts.
These wars of aggression, imposed by Rwanda and Uganda, caused the death of over 12 million Congolese. Marked by massacres, systematic rape and other crimes against humanity, these tragedies were often ignored by the international community, which turned a deaf ear to the Congolese people’s appeals for help.
The GENOCOST commemoration is a time to reflect on these painful events. It aims to honor the memory of the victims, denounce the complicit silence of the international community and demand justice for the crimes committed.
The 2024 Commemoration: An International Event
In 2024, the commemoration of Genocost took on an international dimension, with activities organized around the world. From Kinshasa to New York, from Paris to Belgrade, ceremonies, conferences and marches took place to raise public awareness of the scale of this tragedy and to remind people of the importance of justice and remembrance.
Belgrade: A Week of Remembrance and Solidarity
In Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo organized a series of activities from August 1 to 3, 2024 to commemorate Genocost. This initiative is part of a national day dedicated to the memory of the millions of Congolese who have fallen victim to violence and armed conflict, often motivated by economic interests. Led by His Excellency Joseph Kalala Mulamba, Ambassador of the DRC to Serbia, the events highlighted the resilience of the Congolese people and sought to mobilize the international community around the Congolese cause.
The series of events culminated in a religious service celebrated by Father Alexander, parish priest of Belgrade’s Christ-Roi Catholic Cathedral. This solemn mass was attended by numerous members of the Congolese diaspora, local authorities and foreign diplomats, including the Ambassador of the Republic of Angola and the Chargé d’Affaires of Palestine. In his homily, Father Alexander stressed the importance of peace, justice and reconciliation.
At the end of the service, Ambassador Joseph Kalala Mulamba took the floor to recall the motivations behind the war of aggression imposed on the DRC. He denounced the injustice of this conflict and the complicit silence of the international community, calling for recognition and global action to end the suffering of the Congolese people.
A march of denunciation and solidarity
After the service, Belgrade’s Congolese community, accompanied by sympathizers, organized a peaceful march to denounce the genocide. The march, led by Serbian police, took place between Christ-Roi Cathedral and the DRC Embassy. Bearing posters and badges, participants chanted slogans calling for justice for the victims of Genocost and an end to the violence in the DRC.
A Call to Remembrance and Action
The Genocost commemoration in Belgrade was a powerful moment of solidarity and reflection. It reminded everyone of the importance of never forgetting the victims of this genocide, and of continuing to fight for justice and peace. Through these activities, the DRC Embassy in Serbia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Congolese people and mobilizing the international community for a just cause.
On this day of remembrance, we remember the millions of lives lost and reaffirm our determination to work for a better future, where peace and justice will finally prevail.
I tend not to drop a ton of responses, however i
did some searching and wound up here The Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Belgrade Commemorates the Congolese Genocide (GENOCOST).
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