This marks a milestone in the ten years of a campaign of the Congolese Action Youth Platform (CAYP), which initiated the Genocost campaign in London in 2011 and worked tirelessly for the recognition of the genocides and crimes against humanity perpetrated against the people of DR Congo for economic gain called the Genocost. A contraction between genocide and cost referring to the crimes committed in the country for economic gain.
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary, CAYP worked tirelessly with members of grassroots civil society organisations, in particular, the youth, who mobilised in 9 different cities across the country: Goma, Lubumbashi, Kinshasa, Beni, Mambassa (Ituri), Kikwit, Bukavu and Kisangani. Actions took place simultaneously across the globe with commemorations in Brussels, Sao Paulo (Brazil), Nairobi (Kenya), and Paris ( France) and on different social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. In the lead-up to the event, many changed their profile pictures on their social media page to raise awareness about the Genocost.
The CAYP would like to thank all the individuals and organisations that were key to the year’s success for their support and mobilisation. It is also important to acknowledge that 2023 marked the time the Congolese government officially commemorated the victims of Genocost, with President Felix Tshisekedi attending the commemoration ceremony in Kinshasa at La Place du Genocost (renamed as such by Civil society actors the government has still to rename La Place des évolués). In his speech at la Cité de l’Union Africaine, he officially announced the first commemoration of the victims of the Congolese genocide and promised various measures for reparation to the victims. Lastly, this year saw the involvement of the National Fund for the Reparation of Victims (FONAREV), dedicated to assisting victims of conflict-related sexual violence. Undoubtedly, this represents a significant step towards justice and reparations. However, for CAYP, it merely marks the initial phase of a long journey to end impunity for all victims of mass atrocities committed in the DRC over the last decades.
The road ahead is still long, but we are filled with hope!