As the conflict intensifies in Eastern Congo, peace advocate CEO Officer Jean de Dieu, a Munyamulenge living in Australia, has called for urgent attention to the ongoing violence targeting the Banyamulenge and Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the region.
Speaking to KivuPride.com, CEO Officer Jean de Dieu, known as an Ambassador of Peace for the Banyamulenge in Australia, expressed his deep concerns about the humanitarian crisis and urged for immediate interventions to safeguard lives and restore peace.
«The Banyamulenge and Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese have been subjected to systematic violence for far too long, » Jean de Dieu, emphasized during his interview.
«It is unacceptable that innocent people are being killed, displaced, and looted in a region where they should feel safe. The international community must not ignore this crisis. »
The ongoing conflict, marked by the advancement of AFC/M23 Movement towards Goma, has escalated tensions in the area. The group has vowed to liberate the city and establish peace for civilians who have endured atrocities at the hands of FARDC, Wazalendo, and other armed groups allegedly collaborating with them. Jean de Dieu highlighted the devastating impact this situation has had on the local population.
«It’s heartbreaking to see families torn apart by violence, » he said. «What the AFC/M23 is doing to protect the vulnerable populations, especially Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, deserves recognition. They are standing up against a regime that has failed to protect its citizens. »
CEO Officer Jean de Dieu also extended his well wishes to both the AFC/M23 and the local self-defense group TWIRWANEHO, commending their efforts to ensure the safety of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities. He noted that these groups are stepping in where the Congolese government under President Felix Tshisekedi has failed to provide security and stability.
«We must applaud those who are taking tangible steps to protect the lives of vulnerable populations,» Jean de Dieu remarked. «AFC/M23 and TWIRWANEHO are doing everything possible to prevent further bloodshed and to establish a sense of safety for people who have suffered so much.»
CEO Officer Jean de Dieu concluded with a plea for unity among the Banyamulenge and other affected communities, urging them to stand together in advocating for peace and justice. He also called on the international community to hold the Congolese government accountable for its role in the ongoing crisis and to pressure it into addressing the root causes of the conflict.
«Peace is not a distant dream; it is a necessity, » he said.
«We must continue to work together, to speak out, and to demand justice for all those who have suffered. Our collective voice is the most powerful tool we have to bring change. »
As the situation in Eastern Congo remains volatile, voices like Jean de Dieu’s provide a beacon of hope for a future where peace and stability can finally take root in the region.
