Media engagment on the commemoration of the GenoCost in DRCongo
Exchange with the media in line with the preparation of the GenoCost in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Press Conference in Goma with actors of the Civil Society
The COJESKI North Kivu, is leading the Commemoration of the GenoCost in the Democratic Republic of Congo and on Friday August 2nd is the climax.
Today August 1st, 2024 the Coordinator of COJESKI North Kivu, Mr. Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos had interviews with Journalists from the following media companies:
Radio l’Irondelle from the Netherlands,
Radio Okapi: The United Nations Mission Radio in DRC,
Radio Sauti ya Injili which works with five other local radios based in Goma.
Here are the summery of the key questions from the journalists
Q/ On this occasion of the GenoCost, which kind of the message you want to share with the public in DRC and in the World,
A/ We are here to create awareness about the Genocide in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1998 up to now, as you know the genocide is a crime against humanity but we have observed that serious crimes committed to Congolese because of their tribes, ethnicity, religion, social belonging among others are not well known in the world, we want people to fully know about this and join us to stop this human madness,
I also want everyone to know that each time you use any electronic machine, please know that there is a Congolese who has been killed in order to loot the minerals that are used for those electronics, I want the world to stop this and come up with better ways which ensure the protection of life, this is why even we have those two words GenoCost,
Q/Which kind of atrocities people have been submitted to since the war started in 1998 up to now?
A/ Generally we have observed many serious crimes against humanity such as massacre of civilians, rape of women, destroying people’s houses, taking all the economic activities of people in terms of cattle and crops, forcing people to leave their homes, pushing people to the bushes where they died of hunger, exposing to extreme famine among others,
Q/ In North Kivu, there is now a Cemetery of the GenoCost where the dead are put to rest, what does it tell you? How many people have been buried there?
A/ This is a good thing which is in line with the memorial, this is the first step to ensure that those who were brutally killed are not forgotten, and it the first step which will capitalize on to identify other places for those who were massacred. As you know in North Kivu most of the sites of the crimes are not yet identified, so this is the work we need to do,
Q/ So now after the Commemoration what next? What happens to the victims?
A/ The GenoCost has various activities including justice and reparation to the survivors, and helping people to rebuild their lives and their communities. We have six thematic areas which include: Awareness and recognition of the GenoCost, this is what we are doing, the Memorial which is about identifying each person who was killed and putting in place a memorial, Reparation to the survivors, truth telling, forgiveness and commitment to non-repetition of the crimes. All these focus on the victims.
Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos
Coordinator
