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Boulevard du 30 Juin, Arret VodaCom, Gombe Division, Kinshasa.
Urgent appeal on behalf of Bishop Madam Jose Rashid and her transfer to Makala main prison in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo
Bishop Madam Jose Rashid, is one among active and vocal women activists based in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, she is the voice of voiceless and her main engagement is through social media mainly Tick-Tok where she attracts a big audience. Some day in April 2026 she published a video on Tick-Tok blaming the Minister of Social Affairs for her failure to address the unacceptable situation of thousands of Congolese refugees in Burundi, who continue to suffer in total absence of the DRC Government while millions of dollars are embezzled.
This Tick-Tok appeal did not go very well in the eyes of Minister Eve Bazaiba who waited for an opportunity in order to revenge against Jose. On Monday August 17th 2026, Bishop Jose was called for a meeting with the Minister of Social Affaire her Excellency Madam Eve Bazaiba. Bishop Jose moved with her daughter who escorted her, but when she reached the office she was immediately arrested by unidentified people, humiliated and subjected to inhuman treatment. Later on in the afternoon, the Minister called for security officers who took her to Court. On Tuesday August 18th, 2026 she was presented to Court but she was told to wait. She remained in Court Cell until Saturday August 22nd when she was transferred to Makala main prison where she is reminded now.
Her lawyers deployed all the efforts to secure for her a Court Bond but in vain, and unfortunately the court did not give explanation why she could not be granted a bond.
We bring to your attention the urgent to protect human rights defenders and whistle blowers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We still have in our minds the fresh memories of Floribert Chebeya who was also assassinated in the same way while responding to an appointment from a Police Officer.
We call upon the mobilization of all actors to make pressure on the DRC Government to release Bishop Jose who was arbitrary arrested and currently detained without a fair trial.
We believe this is a clear message of threat and intimidations against Human Rights Defenders and vocal leaders who would like to show concerns on issues affecting Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees among others things under her department.
Thanks
One day of reflexion on the situation of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda known as FDLR based in DRC.
We are engaged in various advocacy strategies and activities in order to focus either on accurate information, change the perceptions, mitigate the beliefs, propose better policies among others: Here is the strategy we used, please find the report here in the link: https://cojeskidrcongo.org/report-on-our-one-day-workshop-on-the-problematic-of-fdr-armed-group-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo/
We condemn all forms of violence against the Ebola Riposte Team in DRC.
We are concerned about interventions on ground and the resistance of the communities, please find our press statement here on this link: https://cojeskidrcongo.org/statement-on-scenes-of-violence-against-international-team-engaged-in-the-fight-against-ebola-in-drcongo-that-was-expected/
Bringing all actors in the conversation about solutions to end FDLR Armed Group in DRC
On Thursday August 20th, 2026 we shall host one Day workshop on the issue of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda known as “FDLR” based in DRC. The workshop will bring together Government Institutions, Diplomatic Missions, the United Nations Agencies, the Civil Society Actors and Refugee Leaders based in Kinshasa.
Various initiatives are being undertaken in order to find lasting solutions and pubic statements have been made by actors on what they think, however host communities, actors of the Civil Society and refugee opinions are missing the the debates. It is on this ground that we shall the workshop in order to emphasize for the inclusion. We believe that they are solutions at each level, local, Provincial, National, Regional and International and all these should be mixed up together. Everyone has something to contribute. Find more in our Concept Note in this link here ” https://cojeskidrcongo.org/paece/
Sparking the discussions on narratives about FDLR in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and distancing from the Rwanda criminalization agenda. At the end of this month of July we shall hold a one Day reflexion on the situation of FDLR based in DRC in order to propose better solutions, it is a process in order to challenge the existing narrative and bring forward better local approches to end this crisis, find more in this link: https://cojeskidrcongo.org/concept-note-for-one-day-of-reflexion-on-the-situation-of-fdlr-in-drcongo-to-explore-durable-local-solutions/
Advocacy
Generally Research will go in hand with advocacy and shall focus on changing a range of things including norms, harmful cultural practices, myths, policies and other social practices which do not favor progress and development. The Democratic Republic of Congo also has a challenge of a human resource strong in advocacy, this is one among the areas we shall also focus and support young people to embrace. Many activities will be involved in this sector also including trainings, education programs that promotes advocacy, sharing experiences with others. Advocacy will help to shape the communities and help people to embrace positive changes towards development.
