Families of Victims of Attacks on Displaced People in Congo Grieve for Their Loved Ones

The city of Goma in the North Kivu Province of Congo was filled with grief as families of the victims of last week’s bomb attacks on two camps of displaced people gathered to mourn their loved ones at a ceremony on Monday evening. Mourners sang and lit candles in tribute to the deceased, including Alimeti Kigiho, who lost his wife and two young children in the attack.

The Congolese army and rebel group M23 have blamed each other for the bombings, adding to the long-standing conflict in eastern Congo. The region has been plagued by violence for decades, with over 100 armed groups fighting for land and control of valuable minerals, leading to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The attacks have displaced about 7 million people, with thousands living in temporary camps like the ones targeted last week. Justine Joza Bushashire, who lost her son in the bombings, expressed her devastation, highlighting the human toll of the ongoing conflict.

Criticism has been directed at Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and the international community for failing to end the conflict. Some mourners at the ceremony called for Tshisekedi’s resignation if he is unable to bring peace to the region.

As the families mourn their losses and the community demands accountability, the cycle of violence and displacement in eastern Congo continues, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict.