Press statement on the day of reflection about Kenyan Troops in North Kivu DRCongo
Press release on the two hours reflection on the current security situation in North Kivu, the Democratic Republic of Congo
On Monday September 2nd, 2024 the New Dynamic of the Civil Society in North Kivu organized a two hours reflection on the current war in North Kivu. The meeting started a 10am and ended at 12:30 pm, and the meeting was in response of the deployment of Kenyan Troops in North Kivu to support MONUSCO.
The meeting today happened in particular situation when Pro-Democracy Pressure Groups in Goma organized a demonstration which turned to be violence and it was in that line of bringing ideas together on how best demonstrations in Goma can be nonviolent.
The participants after passing through the situation and the history of wars in North Kivu, rejected categorically the deployment of Kenyan troops in DRC and argued that instead MONUSCO should present a withdraw plan. In the same way participants opposed the current DRC Government policy of externalizing the security of the country in which the Government believes in external solutions in order to solve internal security, participants believe in nationalizing the security of the country and that passes through a clear national security plan, which will involve all stakeholders at each level.
The meeting observed that the current Minister of Foreigner Affairs of DRC does not fully represent the aspiration of the people in all negotiations and also observed a different way of looking at the conflict, and this creates different approaches which in most cases the affected people are not neither involved nor consulted.
The participants regretted the current ways of expression through violent means and reminded that the Civil Society has the role to educate the population on how best the right of expression can be nonviolent through various programs, and also wondered how the population is silent towards the government which should be held accountable for decision taken on behalf of the people.
To end the meeting participants signed a letter addressed to the United Nations Security Council and the DRC Government which will be followed by other actions in order to promote peace and security in North Kivu through military operations first before any negotiation.
Thanks
Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos
COJESKI North Kivu.
