Kinshasa, July 30, 2025 – The capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is hosting a landmark event this week: a three-day international conference dedicated to the recognition of genocides committed on Congolese soil. This Wednesday, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka officially opened the gathering, which brings together leading jurists, researchers, academics, and representatives from national and international institutions.
The objective is clear: to create a scientific, historical, and legal framework for documenting genocide-related crimes, advancing collective memory, and building a strong foundation for international advocacy.
“This conference is a decisive step toward truth, justice, and dignity for our martyrs,” declared the Prime Minister during her opening address.
A Nationwide Mobilization for the Third GENOCOST Commemoration
The forum takes place just days ahead of the third annual commemoration of GENOCOST, the remembrance of the Congolese genocide driven by economic exploitation, observed on August 2. During the 53rd ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers, President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi called for a nationwide and diplomatic mobilization to mark the day across all provinces and embassies. Citizens and partners are encouraged to gather in spaces for dialogue, memory, and peace. “GENOCOST is not only about reparations for survivors. It is a call for truth, justice, and non-repetition,” the President emphasized.
“Reparations Are Not Enough”: A Call for International Criminal Justice
This is not a narrative of victimhood. The Congolese leadership is demanding a duty of remembrance and an end to impunity. In her powerful speech last year in Kisangani, Prime Minister Suminwa stated: “We are not mourners. This is a moral duty. We will not give up. We will keep fighting for peace, so our people can finally benefit from our wealth. For that, we must stand together.”
Now, she reiterates her call for the establishment of an International Criminal Tribunal for the DRC, in light of massive and documented human rights violations, including sexual violence, massacres, and looting. According to the Prime Minister, reparations alone are not enough. There must also be truth, justice, and strong transitional mechanisms to ensure non-recurrence.
Honoring Millions of Victims with a National Strategy
The government has been tasked with drafting a comprehensive and progressive strategy, in collaboration with the Interinstitutional Commission for Victims Support and Reform (CIA-VAR) and the National Reparations Fund (FONAREV). The goal is to unify Congolese voices, including those in the diaspora, to honor the memory of millions of victims and amplify Congo’s call for justice on the world stage.
August 2 is now officially recognized by law as the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Crimes Against Peace and Humanity, following Article 28 of the December 26, 2022 legislation on conflict-related sexual violence and mass atrocities. This day will be marked by commemoration ceremonies, testimonies, and national reflection.
Taking the Fight to the World Stage
Congo’s push for international recognition of GENOCOST will also be carried to the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council and the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations. This is more than diplomacy – it is a demand that the pain and trauma of the Congolese people no longer go unheard. In the words of a survivor, echoed throughout the conference:
“Silence kills as much as bullets do.”
