Over the weekend, nearly 1,500 demonstrators marched through the streets of Paris in a powerful display of solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), calling for an end to the relentless violence devastating the country’s eastern region.
The protest, organized by the advocacy group Urgence Pona Mboka, served as a rallying cry for international intervention and accountability for those fueling the ongoing conflict. Demonstrators, many waving Congolese flags and holding banners with messages such as “Stop the War,” “Our Wealth, Our Right,” and “Justice for the DRC,” expressed their frustration over the lack of meaningful global support.
Among them was Gilcy, a passionate protester who voiced the anguish and determination of many participants. “We are gathered here because we are fed up with everything happening in the east of the DRC. This conflict has been ongoing for 30 years, and so many people have suffered because of it. We are asking the international community to impose strong sanctions on Paul Kagame’s regime so that this war can finally end,” he said.
The demonstrators demanded a stronger response from world powers, urging decisive action to stop the bloodshed. One of the event’s organizers also addressed the crowd, emphasizing resilience and the need for unity. “We must not be discouraged. We must not be intimidated. The international community—France, Belgium, the UK, the US—has turned against us, but today, we are standing up and saying no.”
As conflict continues to engulf eastern DRC, protesters in Paris are urging the world to act before the crisis worsens. Their message is clear: the time for silence is over, and concrete action is needed to bring peace to the region.