By Ntombifuthi Buthelezi
People of Congolese descent have marched in the Durban city centre to share their concerns and outrage at the recent escalation of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the alleged involvement of Rwanda in that conflict.
In January this year, South Africa’s relations with Rwanda soured after a number of South African peacekeepers were killed by the M23 rebel group that has taken over parts of Eastern DRC. The group has been defended by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda who has widely been reported to be in support of them and believed to have sent Rwandese soldiers to be on the ground alongside M23.
“What is done by the president of Rwanda in Congo is not acceptable and we won’t allow him to take over our country, especially since we all know that he is after our minerals,” said march organiser, Vincent Kodama.
The DRC is known to be rich in a number of important minerals that include copper, diamonds and tantalum. It is also home to 70% of the world’s cobalt which is a mineral that is essential for electronics that include smart phones.
Some of those marching alleged that Rwanda is supported by some world superpowers in fueling this conflict.
“The president of Rwanda wants to take over in Congo andwiththe president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, backing him. We want to show our people in Congo with this march that we are with them. They are not fighting alone. We are feeling their struggle even though we are not at home,” said Cellini Zakom who was also marching.
There have been efforts to end the conflict and the leadership of Qatar has issued a note that they are mediating in the conflict.
South Africa is home to a significant number of citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo, many of who have asylum status with a significant portion born and raised in South Africa because of the conflict back home.
