Cojeski DRC

protection and security of refugee leaders in Kivu
2024-10-08 - 2027-01-07
Currently we are highly working on the protection and security of refugee leaders in Kivu who are under the control of M23 rebels backed by Rwanda. Most of these refugee leaders are the main target of the rebels and many are living in difficult situations currently. We have put in place an emergency fundraising campaign to support them, please visit our fundraising campaigns on GlobalGiving.

Weekly and Monthly Meetings
2025-10-20 - 2036-01-07 | Virtual Meeting
Three meetings are being held focusing on the situation of refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first meeting is held every Tuesday online and it is in French , here is the link for those who want to participate: https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn

Time: 4pm Eastern DRCongo Time, 3pm Kinshasa time, and 5pm Nairobi time. This meeting is a form of information session which focusing of helping participants to know more about the refugee situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The main audience for this event are Congolese people both in the country and in the Diaspora and refugees both in DRCongo and outside DRCongo.

The second is held every Thursday and it is in English, here is the link for those who wish to attend:https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn
With less opportunities at international, national and local levels which focuse on reducing the gabs of information about refugees, we have proposed this regular meeting to help our audience to know more refugees in DRCongo. These meetings helps to build contacts, network and access more information about refugees in DRC. Dialogue on the situation of refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Every Thursday: Time: 5pm time of Nairobi, 4pm Eastern DRC and 3pm time of Kinshasa DRC. (please fix the time in your country), Here is the link: https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn

Coordination Meeting (this meeting is only limited to the members of the National Coordination): Every Saturday at 7am AM time of Kinshasa/DRC, 8am time of Eastern DRC.

There is also COHERE Gathering every month on the situation of emergencies in DRCongo, please contact this email for the link: e.page@wearecohere.org,
Rapport de la réunion du Bureau National du COJESKI RDC du 8 Novembre 2025 LA PREMIÈRE RÉUNION HEBDOMADAIRE ADMINISTRATIVE. Date: Samedi 08 Novembre 2025. Heure: 7h30 heure de Kinshasa, 8h30 heure de l’Est de la RDC.
Premier point
Mot de bienvenue, par Mr Pecos Amateur National du COJESKI RDC
Les COJESKI c’est les Collectifs des Organisations de Jeunes Solidaire Congo Kinshasa (si vous voulez savoir plus sur nous allez visiter notre site internet pour plus de détails. Nous sommes en train de travailler dur pour mettre toutes les informations nécessaires dans le site internet, afin de faciliter l’accès à l’information et la transparence.
Il a ensuite informé les participants sur l’état actuel du Réseau et les défis à relever. Certains documents ne sont pas encore dans le site internet comme les règlements d’ordre intérieur, le Budget, le Plan Stratégique, et les Procédures car ces documents ne sont pas encore prêts.
Deuxième Point
Chaque membre a eu le temps de se presenter et les participants sont des provinces suivantes : Nord-Kivu, Ituri, Maniema, Tshopo, Equateur, Et Kongo Central.
Troisième Point: Les Priorités Nationales
Au niveau national nous n’avons rien, ni bureau, ni machine, ni chaise, ni véhicule, tout a disparu lors de la chute du COJESKI par ceux qui étaient à la tête du bureau à ce moment-là ! Et donc on n’a rien.
Mais nous pensons y remédier bientôt car nous sommes déjà à la recherche d’un nouveau bureau à Kinshasa qui sera notre Bureau National. Actuellement nous sommes dans le Bureau de la Société Civile du Congo SOCICO.
Quatrième point
Nous sommes en train de mettre en place les bureaux et de constituer des équipes administratives dans chaque provinces pour étendre le COJESKI dans les nouvelles Provinces.
– Nous n’avons toujours pas de règlement d’ordre intérieur propre au COJESKI c’est pourquoi nous allons y réfléchir ensemble à partir de notre statut.
Les participants ont résolu de lire le statut et proposer des commandements car plusieurs choses ont déjà changé.
Cinquième point
Les Priorités de chaque Province
Seulement 4 provinces qui ont été représentées dont le TSHOPO, le Nord- Kivu, le Maniema, et l’Ituri.
– La province de TSHOPO représentée par JOSEPH nous a parlé de 2 priorités dont nous avons: l’intégration des déplacés internes et l’encadrement des jeunes filles pour réduire la délinquance.
– La Province du Maniema représenté par Toussaint qui, nous a parlé de 3 priorités dont nous avons: Encadrement de la jeunesse dans différents domaines pour éviter leur enrôlement dans les groupes armés. Appuyer les déplacées interne pour leur intégration locale et avec de l’aide humanitaire.
Formation et capitation des Acteurs de la Société Civile et des Leaders des Jeunes.
– La province de l’Ituri représenté par Madame Julienne qui nous a dit que jusque-là ils n’ont pas fait de réunion administrative pour se mettre d’accord sur leurs priorités quand ça sera prêt ils vont nous tenir informés
– La Province du Nord- Kivu représenté par Florence MAPATANO qui nous a parlé de l’impossibilité de faire des activités sous la casquette du COJESKI vu la situation sécuritaire. Mais la priorité reste les interventions humanitaires a travers les Associations membres.
Les Coordinations ont des défis de la mauvaise connexion de l’internet ainsi la Coordination Nationale va mener des actions pour demander l’amélioration de l’internet en RDC.
NB: Nous n’avions pas fini la réunion commune vous pouvez les constater à partir de l’ordre du jour vu la connexion ! Merci pour la participation de tous

Open Letter to the Minister of Internal Affairs against practices of threats and intimidation, kindly find the original French version here “SOCICO -Appel au retrait des menances

Kinshasa, le 12/11/ 2025
N°/Réf : 029/SOCICO/CN/PNY/2025
A l’attention de son Excellence Monsieur le Vice-Premier Ministre, Ministre de l’Intérieur, Sécurité, Décentralisation et Affaires coutumières
à Kinshasa/Lingwala
Excellence,
La Société Civile du Congo (SOCICO/RDC) suit avec une profonde préoccupation la montée des pratiques et des discours qui tendent à fragiliser l’espace démocratique en République Démocratique du Congo.
Nous observons, avec regret, que les Assemblées Provinciales, institutions essentielles de la démocratie locale, font désormais l’objet de pressions, menaces et intimidations en provenance du Ministère de l’Intérieur, alors qu’elles ne font qu’exercer leurs prérogatives constitutionnelles de contrôle et de redevabilité.
Selon plusieurs sources médiatiques, Son Excellence Monsieur Jacquemin Shabani, Ministre de l’Intérieur, aurait adressé des menaces verbales à l’endroit des élus provinciaux dans diverses provinces du pays. Une telle attitude, au lieu de favoriser la gouvernance responsable, porte atteinte à la liberté d’action des députés provinciaux, censés défendre les intérêts légitimes du peuple en toute indépendance.
Nous rappelons que la démocratie congolaise est le fruit d’un long combat mené au prix de grands sacrifices, notamment par les acteurs politiques et citoyens ayant œuvré pendant plus de trente-deux ans pour l’instauration d’un État de droit. Il serait donc inacceptable que ces acquis soient remis en cause par des pratiques autoritaires, même de la part de ceux qui furent jadis à l’avant- garde de ce combat.
Nos provinces, pour la plupart, connaissent une gouvernance marquée par des dysfonctionnements graves. Dans certaines d’entre elles — notamment au Kasaï Oriental, pour ne citer que cet exemple —, les Gouverneurs brillent par leur absentéisme et leur inefficacité, compromettant ainsi le développement et le bien-être de la population.
Au lieu de protéger des Gouverneurs défaillants, il est urgent de renforcer la transparence, la redevabilité et la participation citoyenne. Restreindre l’espace parlementaire et museler les Assemblées Provinciales, c’est affaiblir les fondements mêmes de la gouvernance démocratique.
Nous tenons à encourager les Assemblées Provinciales à demeurer fermes et indépendantes dans l’exercice de leur mission de contrôle, conformément à la Constitution et aux lois de la République. Leur devoir est de sanctionner la médiocrité, où qu’elle se trouve, et de veiller à ce que la gestion publique serve effectivement le peuple congolais.
Nous invitons également les Gouverneurs de Provinces à se recentrer sur leurs obligations envers la population : rendre compte de leur gestion, promouvoir une gouvernance locale inclusive et œuvrer pour le développement. La protection politique ne saurait remplacer la compétence ni l’intégrité ; toute stratégie de protectionnisme institutionnel est, par essence, antidémocratique.
En conséquence, nous invitons Son Excellence Monsieur le Ministre de l’Intérieur, à :

Reconsidérer les propos et attitudes qui pourraient être perçus comme des pressions à l’endroit des Assemblées Provinciales, afin de préserver un climat de respect mutuel et de confiance entre les institutions de la République ;
Encourager les Gouverneurs de Provinces à renforcer la qualité de leur gouvernance, à demeurer à l’écoute des citoyens et à œuvrer activement pour l’amélioration des conditions de vie de la population, dans un esprit de responsabilité et de service public.
La SOCICO/RDC demeure attachée aux valeurs de démocratie, de bonne gouvernance et de responsabilité publique, et continuera à défendre ces principes face à toute dérive autoritaire.

Pour la Société Civile du Congo,
Monsieur Pontien NYEMBO

Président National[1]
[1] Adresse : Boulevard du 30 Juin, arrêt VODACOM, 5e Niveau du Bâtiment MOULAERT, après Equity BCDC en diagonal de la Galerie Présidentielle, Kinshasa-Gombe
Tél : +243816027550, +243997014284 | E-mail : socicordc2@gmail.com
Public Campaigns for the New Refugee Policy in the Democratic Republic of Congo
We are currently in this campaign to create public awareness about the urgent need to have in place in new refugee policy in DRC which will contribute to proper management of refugees. Authorities have promised to introduce this Bill into the Parliament but nothing much has been done. That is why, we call upon your support and solidarity to join and engage the Government of DRC to act quickly make put in place a new refugee Policy.
We have proposed a New Refugee Bill and here is what we are doing in order to inform the public about this New Law.
Flyer Eight Flyer Five Flyer Four Flyer One
Flyer Seven Flyer Six Flyer Three Flyer Two
Three meetings are being held focusing on the situation of refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first meeting is held every Monday online and it is in French , here is the link for those who want to participate: https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn

Time: 5pm Eastern DRCongo Time, 4pm Kinshasa time, and 6pm Nairobi time. This meeting is a form of information session which focusing of helping participants to know more about the refugee situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The main audience for this event are Congolese people both in the country and in the Diaspora and refugees both in DRCongo and outside DRCongo.

The second is held every Thursday and it is in English, here is the link for those who wish to attend:https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn
With less opportunities at international, national and local levels which focuse on reducing the gabs of information about refugees, we have proposed this regular meeting to help our audience to know more refugees in DRCongo. These meetings helps to build contacts, network and access more information about refugees in DRC. Dialogue on the situation of refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Every Thursday: Time: 7pm time of Kinshasa/DRC, which is 8pm time of Eastern DRC and which is 9pm time of Nairobi (please fix the time in your country), Here is the link: https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn

Coordination Meeting (this meeting is only limited to the members of the National Coordination): Every Saturday at 7:45 AM time of Kinshasa/DRC

Here is the link: https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn

There is also COHERE Gathering every month on the situation of emergencies in DRCongo, please contact this email for the link: e.page@wearecohere.org,
Conference on the recognizing of the Genocide in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Kalemie City, Tanganyika Province

Participants after the Conference in Kalemie City posing for a group Photo
The National Association of the Victims of DRC together with COJESKI-DRC and the Congolese Civil Society known as SOCICO organized a Conference in Kamelie on this Saturday November 8th, 2025, under the Theme: International and National Recognition of the Genocide in DRCongo
The main Speaker, Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos, the National Coordinator of COJESKI DRC, traced the history of brutal massacres in DRC which started early 1990s and which continue up to now with various wars. Tanganyika Province and the City of Kalemie is believed to be hostile for such activities and many people view these activities as sensitive politically because most of political actors who participated in various massacres are originally from the former great Katanga which include Tanganyika Province.
As a result of such perception of sensitivity of the Campaign, over the years no activities have been done in this Province, most of young people and elderly people in the Hall witnessed they had no ideas about all various massacres committed in DRC, some hear about sporadically on the Radios and from Social Media but they do not know it real and serious to that extend.
The idea was exactly to challenge that perception of sensitivity and mitigate the debate, we are so much aware of the risks especially threats and intimidations but we are committed to spread the debate in order to challenge ignorance.
In his presentation Kulihoshi Pecos highlighted about our dark history characterized by wars since 1996 up to day which claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people including lives in this particular Province which witnessed massacres caused by Ethnic Wars between Bantu and Twaa (Pygmies) over the years.
He also exposed on the history of the GenoCost which is now commemorated each August 2nd of every year and observed that activities are not so much carried out in this province. Recognizing the Genocide is justice and reparation to the survivors who are demanding for justice and that should start from us now. We may not achieve much if Congolese people are not fully aware of what happens and what is happening in their country where people are massacred because they are in a village which has minerals, because their houses are near the Forest, and because they belong to a certain tribe which perpetrators want to finish. It was a time to reflect on how people are claiming power through wars in which thousands of people are killed so that one person becomes a President.
On top of that issues of justice to the survivors, memorials, reparations and the guarantee of no repetition where also addressed in order to promote transitional justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Victims are in various categories which we found direct victims and indirect victims, however it was clear to not that each person in Eastern DRC has in one way or the other been victim of the various wars.
The audience was composed of Actors of the Civil Society, Students, Journalists, legal practitioners and Local Authorities who also in their daily lives shared their experiences.
Questions
Various questions were asked focusing on understanding what genocide means, the current legal framework in DRC, the roles of the Civil Society and the Young People in order to prevent genocide, the political obstacles that may be associated to this campaign, the strategies and plans to fully create awareness among local communities, and issues of restoring the dignity of the victims through projects.
All these questions were discussed and the audience left when there were still more issues to talk, we recognize that we did not take all the concerns of the participants because of the time allocated to us to access and use the Hall, and promised to organize more events around all these crimes in DRC.

Rapport of our participation in the 3Days Training of Civil Society Actors by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Kalemie – Tanganyika Province.
Participants in the Training organized by UNDP in Kalemie City, Tanganyika Province
From Monday November 4th, to Wednesday November 5th, 2025 UNDP Offices in Kalemie organized three days capacity building and training of actors of the Civil Society on “Promoting Social Contract and strengthening follow-up of reforms for a durable peace and inclusive government”.
The session focused on various strategies that should be implemented in order to interact with political actors and influence change in terms of services and policies. It was observed that Civil Society Actors may not have the necessary skills to engage Politicians in the language they speak and that alone may be a barrier. Topics like the Political Language, the time factor, conflict, leaders and advocacy strategies and risk management where addressed during the training.
Participants were successfully equipped with skills that may help them to navigate some situations and this will help this Province in terms of human resource. There is a great in terms of training of actors of the Civil Society because various factors have affected negatively the Civil Society and it is currently in transition which should be supported.
However in terms of communication about the training not enough was done, the quality of the participants was not so much considered and in some cases the content of the training turned to be so much political than empowering.

Three meetings are being held focusing on the situation of refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first meeting is held every Monday online and it is in French , here is the link for those who want to participate: https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn

Time: 5pm Eastern DRCongo Time, 4pm Kinshasa time, and 6pm Nairobi time. This meeting is a form of information session which focusing of helping participants to know more about the refugee situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The main audience for this event are Congolese people both in the country and in the Diaspora and refugees both in DRCongo and outside DRCongo.

The second is held every Thursday and it is in English, here is the link for those who wish to attend:https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn
With less opportunities at international, national and local levels which focuse on reducing the gabs of information about refugees, we have proposed this regular meeting to help our audience to know more refugees in DRCongo. These meetings helps to build contacts, network and access more information about refugees in DRC. Dialogue on the situation of refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Every Thursday: Time: 7pm time of Kinshasa/DRC, which is 8pm time of Eastern DRC and which is 9pm time of Nairobi (please fix the time in your country), Here is the link: https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn

Coordination Meeting (this meeting is only limited to the members of the National Coordination): Every Saturday at 7:45 AM time of Kinshasa/DRC

Here is the link: https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn

There is also COHERE Gathering every month on the situation of emergencies in DRCongo, please contact this email for the link: e.page@wearecohere.org,

New DRCongo Refugee Law
2025-10-20 - 2036-01-07
Together with Florida State University, under the FSU Project, we are engaged on Campaign about the New DRCongo Refugee Law. We greatly appreciate Jessica who is our volunteer involved in this Campaign currently.

Youth entrepreneurship Workshop
2025-10-30 | Kalemie Tanganyika Province, Kalemie Tanganyika Province, Congo, Democratic Republic of the
In Kalemie Tanganyika Province, two COJESKI members will attend a two days’ workshop on youth entrepreneurship being organized by UNESCO and the Ministry of Youth Affairs in the Province.

Climate-driven Migration
2025-11-03 08:00 - 2025-11-05 17:00 (America/Halifax)
Online International Symposium, Climate-driven Migration: Challenges, Responses and Future Pathways, will be held on 27-29th October 2025.
Find more here: https://www.climatemigrantsymposium.org

Summit in Kinshasa for Peace in the Great Lakes Region
2025-11-16 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
The Summit of the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region started Saturday, November 15th, 2025 in Kinshasa and brings together state parties. We observed the absence of the Delegation from Rwanda which is currently military involved in war in Eastern DRC, we also observed the absence of the Civil Society.
Here is our statement

PRESS RELEASE No. 13/SOCICO/DRC/2025
ICGLR SUMMIT IN KINSHASA
On the occasion of the Summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), which opens this Saturday, November 15, 2025 in Kinshasa, we welcome the delegations and recall the importance of this regional framework dedicated to peace and security. However, despite its mandate, the ICGLR is still struggling to bring concrete results to the populations, particularly those in eastern DRC who continue to suffer from armed violence.
We encourage leaders to prioritize dialogue, diplomatic mechanisms and durable solutions, while rejecting any use of force. The Kinshasa Summit should also strengthen the efforts undertaken within the Doha and Washington frameworks with a view to stabilizing the Great Lakes region in the long term.
Since its creation, the ICGLR has failed to establish a real peaceful dynamic between the DRC and Rwanda. The repetition of summits and resolutions that have not been implemented raises legitimate questions among the population. The absence of Rwanda, a central actor in the crisis, highlights the current limitations of the ICGLR and the persistent challenges in promoting nonviolent avenues of conflict resolution.
We call on the Summit to take seriously the problem of refugees in the sub-region, who are often instrumentalized in conflicts, particularly in the eastern DRC. We also encourage the promotion of internal dialogues, particularly in Rwanda, to enable the safe return of thousands of Rwandans living in exile. We recommend that Member States organize a Regional Summit devoted exclusively to the protection of refugees.
Finally, we call on the authorities to consider the recent signing of the Doha agreements. Their implementation remains unclear and requires more transparency, safeguards and monitoring mechanisms to prevent them from being added to the long list of unimplemented commitments in the region.
Done in Kinshasa, 15 November 2025
For the National Coordination of SOCICO The National President
Pontian NYEMBO

Join our three Meetings on the situation of refugees in DRCongo
2025-11-18 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Three meetings are being held focusing on the situation of refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first meeting is held every Monday online and it is in French , here is the link for those who want to participate: https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn

Time: 5pm Eastern DRCongo Time, 4pm Kinshasa time, and 6pm Nairobi time. This meeting is a form of information session which focusing of helping participants to know more about the refugee situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The main audience for this event are Congolese people both in the country and in the Diaspora and refugees both in DRCongo and outside DRCongo.

The second is held every Thursday and it is in English, here is the link for those who wish to attend:https://meet.google.com/qzx-uuha-ijn
With less opportunities at international, national and local levels which focuse on reducing the gabs of information about refugees, we have proposed this regular meeting to help our audience to know more refugees in DRCongo. These meetings helps to build contacts, network and access more information about refugees in DRC. Dialogue on the situation of refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Every Thursday: Time: 7pm time of Kinshasa/DRC, which is 8pm time of Eastern DRC and which is 9pm time of Nairobi (please fix the time in your country), Here is the link: https://meet.google.com/ qzx-uuha-ijn

COHERE DRCONGO GATHERING
There is also COHERE Gathering every month on the situation of emergencies in DRCongo, please contact this email for the link: e.page@wearecohere.org,

The International Day of Young Girl in Kwilu DRCongo
2025-11-18 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
L’ONGDF l’Image de la Femme RDC à son siège social dans la ville de Bandundu, la ville de Bandundu est le chef -lieu de la province du Kwilu.

The Coordinator of the NGO Image de la Femme Madame Evodie engaging young girls in the School on various issues about Sexual and Gender Based Violence on October 11th 2025 in Kwilu Province.
Grâce à son programme de l’éveil de conscience féminine, l’ONGDF l’Image de la Femme a mené une série d’activités selon ses objectifs. L’Image de la Femme RDC intervient dans les domaines de la santé, la protection de l’environnement, genre, bonne gouvernance, sécurité alimentaire, la formation professionnelle, VBG et l’entrepreneuriat féminin.
Notre objectif dans toutes ces activités organisées étaient de sensibiliser plus de 2500 jeunes filles et élèves dans la ville de Bandundu, ceci nous à permis de comprendre les problèmes réel de la jeunesse féminine.
Le 11 Octobre de chaque année est déclaré officiellement par les Nations Unies « la Journée Internationale de la Jeune Fille » nous avons célébré cette journée sous le thème « éclairé l’avenir à travers l’éducation » cette journée a éclairé les filles pour qu’elles prennent conscience de leur réalité, les jeunes filles sont exposés à plusieurs fléaux.
Sur le plan professionnel, les filles sont victimes, beaucoup des gens apportent leur soutien pour qu’ensuite jeté un coup fatal, pour qu’un jeune homme trouve du travail, il donne l’argent mais la jeune fille, elles se servent de leurs corps. Cette pratique à réduit considérablement la participation de la jeune fille dans le milieu professionnel.
Beaucoup des filles sont exposés à des maladies infectieuses qui complique leur à la suite. Nos activités ont apportés une lumière au changement positif de la communauté féminine.
La lutte contre la Violence Basée sur le Genre reste notre champ de bataille pour aboutir aux objectifs de monde où chaque jeune fille serait libre de choisir ce qui est bon pour elle. Le Mois d’octobre a été consacré aux activités d’autonomisation et de conscientisation de la jeune fille,
Nous avons menés des activités dans le cadre de la lutte contre le paludisme et le cancer du sein, l’ONGDF l’Image de la Femme RDC a sensibilisé aussi les femmes Policières et les épouses des Policiers sur « Octobre rose » cette activité à connue la participation de madame la Bourgmestre de la Commune de Basoko Madame Casilda Kibongo, Dr Alain Kalala et le Général de Police Nationale Congolaise de Kwilu Madame Angel Yagbonga, une satisfaction totale car, les PMF ont exprimés une joie sur la matière, Car le cancer du sein est une maladie monstrueuse qui tue des milliers des femmes.
Province du Kwilu
Densité: 96 hab/km
Population: 7,556,180 habitants
Superficie : 78,441 km carrés
La province du Kwilu a 2 villes: Bandundu ville comme Chef –lieu et Kikwit comme ville commerciale.
La province du Kwilu a 5 territoires, 7 communes urbaines, 8 communes rurales, 49 secteurs et 502 groupements.
Le Kwilu est limitrophe de 4 provinces
Elle limité au Nord par la province du Mai-Ndombe, à l’Est par la province du Kasaï, dans le sud par le Kwango et à l’ouest par Kinshasa.
Parmi cette population, notre cible est les filles adolescentes, filles mères et femmes vulnérable.

Young Girls at school victims of abuses and attacks in Kalemie City Tanganyika Province
2025-11-20 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Attacks on schools targeting young girls in Kalemie City, Tanganyika Province by young boys out school for sexual abuses.

Some young girls at school, at this time some men already planing how to abuse them sexually
Young girls in schools are no longer safe in Kalemie City, the most vulnerable of security and attacks are those between 12-20 years old. In the morning when they want to go to school these girls have to think twice if they are safe on roads, in most cases they have to constitute a group of five and more and move together, sometimes they have to link up with fellow students young boys and move together, it is the same when they come back from school, they still have to think twice how they will reach home, and this is their struggle every day.
These girls are victims by groups of young boys between 15 -22 years old who dropped out of school because their parents could not afford to pay the fees at secondary school, young boys from most vulnerable and poor families who did not access secondary school, and young boys from single families of orphans who did not access education even primary at all. Generally these young people do constitute themselves in a group of 5-15 people and are involved in various criminality activities in the city. Their main activity is drug abuse and other substances which affect them psychologically and make them gangs.
Since last year in 2024 Kalemie city started witnessing cases of insecurity in schools caused by these groups of young boys. They come and hide around the school as students are in their classes in the afternoon. Then immediately when learning is over and students start moving out, they attack the schools using stones, Pangas, Knives, iron bars in their hands and generally their main targets during these attacks are young boys in schools who provide alternative security measures to young girls on their way back home.
The intention of the attackers is to discourage the security of young girls on the road, so that they can easily harass, rape and sexually abuse these young girls. The boys in schools have often been an obstacle and the best way is to deal with them. In some cases during the attacks some students have sustained serious injuries, have lost their things including phones and money. And after the attack the perpetrators do disappear freely. No investigations have been done despite the facts that some among these assailants are known and easy to identify, some are even organized in groups with particular forms of leadership.
The recent school that has been victims of this was Ephata Catholic School in du Lac Division in Kalemie City. As always there is a total silence of local authorities, there is no intervention from the Police and other Security Services, and no one makes even a follow up including the Ministry of Education which has remained silent, no single word, no statement, and no visit on ground. Yet school administration has alerted about the safety of students and have received no responses.
How do we understand this phenomena?
There are efforts to encourage the education of young girls alongside young boys also and this was amplified by the Government Free Education Programme, however many of among these young people both girls and boys especially those from vulnerable communities end only at primary education if they are lucky. Girls in Kalemie City and women in general are perceived first of all as sexual objects, and their primarily role is sexual satisfaction to boys and men. And as far as sexual habits are concerned the attention is often oriented towards young girls, men generally use money in order to convince girls and that is condoned by the Society, the more young girls a man is having the more he is viewed as strong man, the more women you get the more you are valued in the society among men. Many young girls end their dreams and the hopes for the future when they get pregnant and those who already have children are not encouraged to continue with education because they are perceived as “women” who should look after a man.
Generally women in Kalemie and other parts of the province are first of all sexual subjects and young boys are encouraged to produce children with these girls, but being in the city life habits do change and many young boys do not have money which can facilitate their relationship with girls. In such a situation, the use of force and other dissuasive strategies are the best practices.
Sexual exploitation of women and young girls are part of the reasons why authorities at various levels resort to silence because they expect young girls to cooperate with the abusers and rapists.
Conclusion
Women and young girls in this Province of Tanganyika are facing all forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence and efforts to mitigate this are not often a priority because sexual and gender based violence are embodied in the culture, in religious beliefs, in education system and in the governance of the province. Even if there is a great need to promote education of most vulnerable community children both girls and boys especially accessing Secondary, University Education and tertiary institutions , there is also urgent need to promote the safety of young girls on roads and in their schools.
The following activities should be promoted
Activities focusing on Sexual and Gender Based Violence,
Activities of scholarships and reduction of fees to vulnerable young people,
Activities focusing on reducing violence and drugs abuses in the communities,
Activities focusing on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights,
Activities focusing on career guidance and counseling to young people,
Activities focusing on law enforcement and criminalization of sexual abuses,
Activities focusing on the education of young girls called “girl-mothers”,

Briefing about our weekly meeting as national coordination
2025-11-23 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
COMPTE RENDU DE LA HEBDOMADAIRE DE CE SAMEDI 22 NOVEMBRE 2025,

Premier point

La réunion a commencé par la présentation des participants, ainsi que le mot d’ouverture du Coordonnateur National qui a insisté sur sur la Redynamisation du COJESKI RDC pour donner l’espace a la Jeunesse Congolaise, il a ensuite demandé aux provinces de capitaliser les opportunités des fonds et d’autres opportunités partagées souvent dans le groupe. Il a informé que trois projets ont été soumis aux partenaires et nous attendons la suite, Il a souhaité la bienvenue aux participants et a regretté l’absence d’autres personnes et surtout que ces absences ne sont pas même communiquées. Ceci relève déjà un défi a la Jeunesse de gérer la chose publique, si les jeunes ne sont pas redevables et exigeants envers eux-mêmes pour respecter leurs engagements.

Deuxième Point

Les participants ont informé que toutes les provinces subissent l’insécurité urbaine, caractérisée par le vol et cambriolage. A Kalemie on a aussi deux cas d’assassinats qui seraient liés au règlement des comptes entre des personnes qui ne respectent pas leurs accords et engagements.
Kindu et dans d’autres coins du Maniema sont affectés par les inondations causées par une forte pluie. Kwilu prépare la Conférence Nationale des Gouverneurs.
Maniema est aussi victime d’insécurité causée par les Wazalendo. Au Kongo Central, il y a une tension entre les institutions de la Province et ça bloque le fonctionnement de la Province.

Sur le Plan National

Nous avons été informés de la signature de l’accord de Paix entre le Gouvernement Congolais et l’AFC/M23 RDF a Doha, la victoire des Léopards contre les Eugles du Nigeria, la visite du Roi du Qatar en RDC. Mais aussi le silence absolu du Gouvernement Congolais et des Acteurs de la Société Civile sur les Massacres a Beni au Nord-Kivu par ADF, les Naufrages a répétition sur nos rivières, et la mort des Jeunes dans le Site Minier a Kolwezi dans la Province de Lualaba.

Ceci nous permet de comprendre les défis que nous devons addresser ensemble avec d’autres acteurs, surtout que les Auteurs sont souvent les Jeunes. Les Coordinations Provinciales doivent s’impliquer pour résoudre ces défis à travers des actions de plaidoyer.

Ainsi nous allons mettre en place plusieurs Groupes Thématiques pour se focaliser sur certains sujets.

La réunion a observé que la grande partie de la Jeunesse n’est pas encadrée et n’a pas d’emplois. Nous devons proposer des solutions aux défis des jeunes dans nos Provinces.

Une réunion spéciale sur la Conférence des Gouverneurs au Kwilu sera organisée par le COJESKI, ce Mercredi a 18h00 et toutes les provinces sont invitées pour définir des actions de plaidoyer.

Dans ce même cadre la Campagne sur la lutte de la Violence Basée sur Genre sera lancée ce même jour le Mercredi 26 Novembre. L’heure sera fixée après consultation dans le groupe.

Le Premier Décembre c’est la journée internationale du VIH/SIDA et en même temps la commémoration de Soeur Annuarite Nengapeta. Le COJESKI Haut-Uele va nous fixer les activités pour harmoniser ces deux dates. Toutes fois nous aurons des réunions en ligne sur ces sujets. Qui était Annuarite, en quoi était focalisée sa lutte, quelles valeurs qu’elle incarne pour la Jeunesse, comment elle a été assassinée? …

Troisième Point

Chaque province est demandée de soumettre ces points de vues pour mettre a jour le Statut du COJESKI RDC, la date limite c’est le Jeudi 27 Novembre 2025 a 18h. Ainsi un commite va aussi préparer déjà les Règlements d’ordre intérieur qui va soumettre Lundi le 24 Novembre 2025.

Le plan stratégique du COJESKI RDC de 5 ans et le Budget seront disponibles au plus tard le 20 Décembre, va travailler sur les drafts a soumettre aux autres pour amendement et adoption.

Divers

Les participants ont discuté sur la nécessité de se faire informer sur le Budget National a l’Assemble Nationale et plaider pour leurs Provinces ainsi que l’allocation financière aux besoins des Jeunes dans le Budget National 2026. Il serait difficile d’exiger des services au Gouvernement l’année prochaine si ces services ne sont pas inclus dans le Budget National actuellement. Nous demandons aux Provinces de contacter leurs Députés Nationaux pour faire suivie de Budget. La même dans les Budgets Provinciaux.
Contacter aussi les Chefs des Divisions des Jeunes, les Conseil Provinciaux des Jeunes, et le Ministre de la Jeunesse.

D’autres points n’ont pas été abordés à cause du temps.

La réunion a pris fin a 10h02 minutes. La prochaine réunion sera le Samedi prochain a 8h00 heure de l’Est et a 7h00 heure de Kinshasa.

Merci bcp

Welcome to COHERE Gathering Point for DRCongo
2025-11-27 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Each month COHERE does organize a gathering which helps the participants to exchange on the current humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in Gom North Kivu, Bukavu and Uvira South Kivu and Kalemie Tanganyinga and also in various refugee camps in Burundi. Please find out the activities on ground here in this link https://community.reframe.network/campaigns/dr-congo-war-emergency-campaign
You can register for the Tuesday December 2nd 2025 gathering through this link here https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZHszVGpSSvCrljLoSGDOPg#/registration

Introduction des activites du COJESKI-RDC a Lubumbashi dans le Haut-Katanga
2026-01-17 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
La Première d’échange d’information du COJESKI-RDC, Coordination du Haut-Katanga tenue à Lubumbashi en date Lundi 12 Janvier 2026

Les participants lors de la reunion au Bureau de la SOCICO-Lubumbashi
Le Collectif des Organisations des Jeunes Solidaires du Congo-Kinshasa (COJESKI-RDC) réactive sa Coordination Provinciale du Haut-Katanga. Ainsi suite à la mobilisation par Mr Camara (acteur de la Société Civile et Syndicaliste pour les Creuseurs Artisanaux), la toute première réunion a eu lieu Lundi 12 Janvier 2026.
Participants
La réunion a eu la participation des 10 Jeunes représentants plusieurs initiatives des Jeunes à Lubumbashi, cette réunion de deux (2) heures s’est tenue au Bureau de la Société Civile du Congo, à Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga.
Ordre du jour
Présentation des participants
Mot de bienvenue
Introduction du COJESKI-RDC,
Questions et Réponse
Divers
Premier point
Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos, l’Animateur National et Florence Katungu se sont présentés comme equipe de la coordination Nationale, ensuite chaque participant a eu le temps de présenter.
Deuxième point
Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos a souhaité la bienvenue aux participants et les vivement accueilli au sein du COJESKI-RDC pour participer ensemble au développement du pays. Il avait souligné le devoir de promouvoir les initiatives des jeunes et de motiver la jeunesse pour ne plus demeurer en arrière dans les affaires du pays à chaque niveau, ceci passerait par une union des jeunes à travers les activités civique que le COJESKI-RDC propose.
Troisième Point
Comme d’habitude, Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos a largement exposé sur l’histoire et l’origine du COJESKI-RDC, son état actuel, les défis à relever et les efforts en cours, la vision, la mission les objectifs ainsi que les sept thématiques notamment : Promotion des Droits Humains, Promotion de la Paix, Promotion de la Bonne Gouvernance, Promotion de la Démocratie, Promotion du Développent Durable, Promotion des Actions Humanitaires et de Solidarité, ainsi que l’adaptation au Changement Climatique.
Le COJESKI-RDC étant un réseau il fédère toutes les initiatives des jeunes en République Démocratique du Congo, Pecos a encouragé les participant à visiter notre site internet (www.cojeskidrcongo.org) pour plus des détails, surtout les documents, les rapports, les budgets ainsi que d’autres détails. Le COJESKI-RDC est engagé dans la transparence and toute chose dont on a besoin devrait être trouvée dans le site internet.
Questions et Réponses
Plusieurs questions ont été posées en rapport avec la connaissance en matière de sept (7) Thématiques, les ordres des missions, les lettres d’affectation ainsi que les activités et le moyen financier.
En bref, les membres de la Coordination Provinciale seront dans le site internet du COJESKI pour permettre leur visibilité car nous avons besoin d’être plus virtuel, les documents sont disponible. Une formation en matière des Thématiques a été suggérée et la Coordination Provinciale du Haut-Katanga pour définir ses activités selon ses réalité, actuellement le COJESKI-RDC n’a pas des fonds mais le COJESKI-RDC Coordination du Nord-Kivu a un petit financement qui ne peut pas aider tout le monde.
Le dernier point
Le divers a bcp tourné sur la SOCICO ainsi que la présentation des Animateurs de la SOCICO présents.
Merci bcp

Meeting at UN Human Rights Offices in Kinshasa between the wars victims and Members of Parliament
2026-03-11 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Some of the participants during the Meeting at the BCNUDH Offices in Kinshasa engaging on durable solutions for the war victims from Eastern DRC now in Kinshasa.
Briefing about the meeting held on Tuesday March 10th, 2026 at MONUSCO offices on the situation of the war victims from the Eastern DRC now living in Kinshasa

Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos, the National Coordinator also taking part in the meeting and proposing the inclusion of all war victims present in Kinshasa, and in particular way, human rights defenders.
The Transitional Justice of the United Nations Mission for Stabilization in DRC known as MONUSCO organized a consultation meeting on the situation of the war victims from the DRC now present in Kinshasa.
The meeting brought together the representatives of the war victims, human rights defenders from the East and Members of the Parliament from the Eastern DRCongo. The objective of the meeting was to create awareness about the humanitarian crisis of the war victims in Kinshasa and suggest better ways to solve it.
The meeting was informed that more than 2,000 war victims from eastern DRC are currently living in Kinshasa in horrible conditions, some living on the streets, women and young girls in survival sex, those who are seek and have no access to treatment, children who are not going to school, the increase of the deaths among them, …
In the process, the idea to advocate for a settlement camp was considered as the best as it will help to coordinate humanitarian relief aid and mobilize partners in order to help those in need.
While the audience agreed that we need urgent solutions and that the victims have suffered for long, there was a debate on if the Camp is the best option and why people could not be helped from where they are and if the distance from Kinshasa up to where the camp should be could favor the survivors.
It was therefore agreed that the Transitional Justice starts the move to write to authorities in order to provide the land to people.
We do support this initiative and we continue participating in all activities in order to make it happen, however we are concerned that the debate is focusing only on war victims from the Eastern DRC and nothing is said about other victims who are in the similar situation in Kinshasa especially those who ran away from the MOBONDO ethnic conflict. Our advocacy will also therefore focus on the inclusion of all the war victims in Kinshasa.

Open Letter to the DRCongo Prime Minister about her promise to help the war victims in Kalemie
2026-03-23 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
During her visit in Kalemie City, Tanganyika Province in September 2025 the Primer Minister promised relief aid to the war victims in the city but until now she has not yet fulfilled her promise. We wrote this letter to remind her and to recall on her about the deterioration of the situation.
Here is the letter attached “LETTER TO PRIMER MINISTER

Upcoming meetings
2026-03-31 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
On Wednesday April 1st 2026
A meeting with MONUSCO Transitional Justice in Kinshasa on issue of relief aid to war victims from Eastern DRC living in Kinshasa now. In the meeting we shall also present the situation of war victims from Mobondo now abandoned in Maluku.
Thursday April 2nd, 2026
A meeting organized by BCNUDH (UN Human Rights Office) bringing together human rights defenders in Kinshasa, focusing on the situation of insecurity in Kinshasa and other issues. In this meeting we also intend to introduce the issue of FDLR (Rwanda’s fighters in DRC) in order to push for a conversation.
Thursday April 2nd, 2026
A meeting of the Consortium on the issue of Internally Displaced Persons in order to engage on the visit in Maluku to assist the war victims.
Tuesday April 7th, 2026
COHERE Gathering on the situation of Humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an opportunity to hear more from grassroots voices, people on ground how they are affected by the war.

Urgent action on behalf of this actor of the Civil Society currently arrested in Kinshasa
2026-03-31 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Concerne : Appel urgent pour la libération de Monsieur Willy Mwine Ngoy, Sécrétaire de la Societe Civile du Congo (SOCICO) à Mitwaba dans le Haut-Katanga RDC

Collègue DDH,

Nous venons auprès de vous solliciter votre implication urgente afin d’exiger la libération de Monsieur Willy Mwine Ngoy, Secrétaire de la Société Civile du Congo (SOCICO/MITWABA – Haut-Katanga) République Démocratique du Congo, arrêté dans le Territoire de Mitwaba, Province du Haut-Katanga en date du 19 Mars 2026 et qui aurait été transféré à Kinshasa via Lubumbashi.
Monsieur Willy Mwine Ngoy était intervenu pour plaider en faveur de l’Enseignant Ngoy Musuna Jean-Claude de l’Institut Muyumbe de Mitwaba ayant eu un malentendu avec la concubine d’un Officier Militaire récemment déployé à Mitwaba le General Kitenge Jean-Claaude. Alors qu’il était au Marché, Mr Ngoy Musuna Jean Claude avait heurté par mégarde la femme de l’officier Militaire qui était aussi au Marché. Alors la femme a violement agressée Jean Claude c’est ainsi qu’elle va appeler son Mari officier est venu intervenir en arrêtant l’Enseignant Jean Claude par des Militaires aux Marché. La femme a dit que l’Enseignant était Mai-Mai et puis conduit au Quartier General des Militaires où il a été détenu.
Alors que notre collègue Willy Mwine Ngoy fait partie du Conseil de Sécurité Territorial était allé plaider pour l’Enseignant Ngoy Musuna Jean-Claude, qui avait été arrêté, le collègue en question, Monsieur Willy Mwine Ngoy est parti au Quartier General des Militaires, mais il aussi été arrêté dans des conditions inhumaines sous prétexte qu’il est aussi Mai-Mai ce même jour du 19 Mars 2026 et a été détenu au Quartier General des Militaires à Mitwaba.
La Societe Civile du Congo (SOCICO) porte à l’opinion publique que leur collègue, Monsieur Willy Mwine Ngoy, n’est ni directement ni indirectement associé aux activités des Mai-Mai à Mitwaba.
Pour ce qui précède, nous demandons :

Le transfert sans délai de Monsieur Willy Mwine Ngoy devant son juge naturel afin d’établir sa culpabilité ou son innocence;
De mettre en place des mesures de defenses pour Monsieur Willy Mwine Ngoy tel que la représentation légale,
La conduite d’enquêtes approfondies sur le conflit opposant la concubine de l’Officier et l’Enseignant Ngoy Musuna Jean-Claude, afin d’établir les responsabilités;
D’exiger la fin des arrestations des acteurs de la Société Civile et de DDH en RDC et punir les auteurs,
La prise de mesures punitives sérieuses et exemplaires contre les auteurs d’arrestations arbitraires visant les acteurs de la société civile ;
L’assistance à Monsieur Willy Mwine Ngoy et à sa famille durant cette période difficile,
La Mobilisation des DDH pour la libération de Willy et de l’Enseignent Jean Claude,

1 Adresse : Boulevard du 30 Juin, arrêt VODACOM, 5e Niveau du Bâtiment MOULAERT, après Equity
BCDC en diagonal de la Galerie Présidentielle, Kinshasa-Gombe
Tél : +243816027550, +243997014284 | E-mail : socicordc2@gmail.com

Three letters addressed to various leaders
2026-03-31 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
The first letter addressed to Jean Piere Bemba, the Minister of Transport on the issues affecting people especially in Kinshasa about the Public Transport. We urged the Minister to consider taking concrete actions to regulate public transport instead of of making political and populist promises which do not solve the problem. Please find the letter here attached ” LETTRE NO 7 MARS 2026 A JEAN PIERE BEMBA SUR L’ETAT DE LA ROUTE A KINSHASA
The Second letter was addressed to Minister of Social Affairs about the problems of Mobondo war victims in Maluku who have been abandoned over the years in living in dire conditions in Maluku, kindly find the letter here attached so that we can act together ” LETTRE NO 08 DEMANDE POUR LES PDIS A MALUKU MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES SOCIALES
The Third letter was addressed the Head of the European Union Delegation in DRC about the questions related to FDLR Rwadan fights assumed to be in DRC. The letter seeks information about where FDLR are and other necessary information, kindly find the letter here ” LETTRE NO 9 MARS 2026 UNION EUROPEENNE A KINSHASA SUR LES FDLR

Ongoing meetings
2026-04-27 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
OUR CURRENT MEETINGS

On Monday April 27th, 2026 Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos had a meeting with stakeholders at the Gombe High Court to discuss the reducing of the number of people accessing Courts currently, in the same way Jacquie Maria will also meet stakeholders at N’djili High Court to discuss the same thing and see how we can work together to promote access to justice in Kinshasa.
On Tuesday April 28th, 2026 we shall participate in the Meeting organized by the Monitoring Group which is hosted by the UN Human Rights Offices here in Kinshasa, on which we shall engage them on the violation of IDPs and Refugee Rights and encourage them to also focus on this situation.
On Tuesday April 28th, 2026 we shall participate in a three days workshop in Kinshasa being organized PanAfrican Defend Defenders and explore opportunities to present on the situation of marginalized human rights defenders especially those engaged in the promotion of the rights of IDPs and Refugees in DRC,
On Thursday April 30th, 2026, we shall our communication plan meeting in order to come up with a communication strategy,
On Wednesday April 29th, 2026 Joyceline will hold a meeting with OCHA in order to find out about group clusters and humanitarian organizations which can help the victims in Maluku.

Promoting the protection of refugees in DRC in line the world refugee day June 20th
2026-05-07 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
CAMPAIGNS FOR THE PROTECTION OF REFUGEES IN DRCONGO
Calling upon all actors to stop perceiving and claiming that Rwandan Refugees in DRC are FDLR armed against Rwanda. The few in Militia Groups who have guns are fighting for the protection of fellow refugees who are always attacked by Rwanda in the absence of the Congolese Army and the United Nations Forces. Protect refugees and they will not have guns.

SOLIDARITY WITH REFUGEES IS NOT A CHOICE BUT A MUST
This is what Germain Mirhonyi had to said and encouraged people to show acts of solidarity with refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

3Million Refugees unknown in the Democratic Republic of Congo
More than 30 Million refugees have no protection of the state in DRC, they are not identified and have no specific place of residence.

WE SHOULD PROMOTE RESETTLEMENT FOR REFUGEES IN DRCONGO

Campaign to mitigate Myths around refugees in DRCongo
2026-05-10 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Great popular support to our Campaign for Solitary towards refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo
With one objective: To mitigate the presence of refugees and mobilize the host communities to participate in the refugee protection.

Background information
Not much is spoken about refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo yet they do exist, it is rare for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Congolese National Commissioner for Refugees to avail information to the public about refugees in DRC. Actually actors within the refugee regime claim that refugee issue in DRC is sensitive, okay what makes it sensitive and can we address it? Until when should it be left sensitive? And should we leave it like that and how does it help refugees? Others claim that refugee issues in DRC is complex, then what? Can we make it easier for other people to understand? How does this complexity contribute to the protection of refugees? Can ignorant local and host communities protect refugees?
Basing on that background we strongly believe that refugee protection is based on a strong and well informed host community where the very first protection of refugees is rooted. That is why we are engaging the entire population to know more about refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo, what is expected from the host communities in order to advance refugee protection and create better opportunities for refugees.
The first week of our social media campaign in DRCongo
Today is the first week of our Campaign we launched on Social Media in order to engage Congolese and other people of good will about refugees in DRC. We are making posters and then share them on social media at least one each day. The intention is to help our audience to know more about refugees and then give their views.
While our Campaign has gained support, positive reactions and provoked discussions in various WhatsApp groups, we have also received messages threatening us and Congolese asking us questions what about Internally Displaced Persons, in some groups some people has called us “Rwandans” especially when we spoke for the protection of Rwandan refugees. These are anyway mere messages. The phone numbers of people who have been negative are generally those from Rwanda.
We want to now to continue the Campaign
We planned to have this campaign just for one week and should involve few people who should share their messages, but we have been over whelmed by many requests from Congolese who have sent us their messages in solidarity with refugees and their Photos in order to publish them. So this Campaign will continue until all messages are done.
This is alone is a clear sign that the allegations which have been fabricated over the years that Congolese people are hostile against refugees are wrong and not accurate. This alone brings down the arguments that refugees should remain anonymous in DRC because the host communities may attack them. Now we should continue to empower the communities to improve the protection of refugees where they live together through activities such peace, conflict resolution and pacific cohabitation between refugees and host communities.
Meeting with a delegation of Rwandan Refugees

As a result of this Campaign, on Saturday May 9th, 2026 a Delegation of Rwandan refugees visited our offices in Kinshasa in order to exchange on issues their facing. They welcomed our campaign and thanked us for raising up the situation of refugees and urged us to continue the good work, and claimed that they are now convinced that they have allies in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They also indicated to us how they live in anonymous and in secrete because they fear the regime of Rwanda may come to kill them and also fear the host communities in which they are living that they may attack Rwandan refugees because of the current war between DRC and Rwanda. This one said “The problem is that local population may not know who is a Rwandan refugees and who is a spy from Rwanda, they call of us Rwandans and in that way there are risks to be attacked by the local population here in Kinshasa”.
This other one also said “my wife is a Congolese but she does not know that I’m a refugee from Rwanda, I have lived in my area for 13 years now but no one knows that I’m a Rwandan refugee and I do not want them to know because they can attack me”.
This woman indicated to us “Now the challenge of hiding also is becoming a problem, we have children who ask us questions, we changed their names and gave them Congolese names so that others may not know they are Rwandans but now they ask questions: Where is our village? Who are our Grand-Parents and all other relatives, can we go and visit them?”
Then this other one also said “you see here in DRC the refugee status has no value, there is no reason why Rwandan refugees should yearn for it, because there are not protection measures attached to it. Actually in most cases UNHCR officers have participated in forced repatriations of Rwandan refugees, these staffs have provided information to Rwanda about refugees, and some among these UNHCR staffs are actually Rwandans who are used as spies”.
In our reactions we intended to argue and shared with them the reality that it may be difficult for Rwanda to come to Kinshasa, pick a refugee and send him or her to Kigali, and encouraged actually to share information with us and the government authorities about people they think are spies from Rwanda, in the same way share information about people they think are at risk. We shared with them how a strong community bondage can help in the protection of refugees and this what we should promote. The fear they have about local population is based on their worst experience in 1998 when again Rwanda backed rebels attacked the Capital Kinshasa, which we may not base on now, and gain this happened because the host communities were not educated so much about the difference between refugees and Rwandan Migrants or Spies. We all agreed that host communities have no clear information about refugees and should be part of our focus.
While we may not be certain if people within UNHCR and CNR who are perceived as Rwandans are Spies, we are so much preoccupied about the selection of people who are working in these institutions who may raise issues of neutrality and trust, and we are also preoccupied about the position of these institutions towards refugees’ especially Rwandan refugees. UNHCR and CNR in DRC are not institutions refugees feel free to go towards but to run away, this fades the whole mandate of protection.
Official reactions
We have not yet received any official reactions to this Campaign and it is not design for official purpose, however some Actors of the Civil Society have shown their support. In the same way the Campaign has not yet attracted the mainstream media but again more activities focusing on the media will be organized.
Conclusion
Let us help the host communities to get information about refugees and hold the host community responsible for refugee protection rather than hiding them about the presence of refugees in their communities. Let us help refugees to feel free so that they can explore their potential rather than living in fear, pretense and hiding.
Please join us and let us do this together with you.
Thanks

What do think about our fellow young people in Wazalendo Local Defense Force in DRC
2026-05-11 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
On Friday May 15th, 2026 we shall attend a public Conference here in Kinshasa under the Theme ” Entre défense du terroir et autorité de l’État : Le défi des Wazalendo. Rejoignez le débat” which means ” Between the defense of the territory and authority of the state: Challenges of Wazalendo, join the debate”.
Background information
Wazalendo is the name attributed to all local armed groups in DRCongo which are opposed to the presence of Rwandan Army in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Wazalendo means “Patriots”, they are composed of young people who generally want to defend their land against foreign aggression, most of whom have never been to school or did not go far with studies. They are playing a big role and in actual sense every Congolese who defends his land in one way or the other is a Muzalendo, some did not take guns but they are in advocacy, some are creating awareness among local population, some are communicators, some are in research, some are in education………..
In this case the Conference will focus on those who took guns and who are on front-line fighting against Rwandan Troops, much as they are brave and have greatly posed a serious threat to Rwanda, they have also committed various human rights violations against vulnerable Civilians such as extra-judiciary killings, looting, rape, torture and other inhuman treatment, and in some cases they impose heavy taxes to poor communities, take their agriculture produce and animals by force and loot the Minerals among other crimes. Generally Wazalendo operate in areas where the state is either absent or it is not functional, in many cases they are the state and make their own laws based on better offer.
We do highly regret these behavior which contradicts what they stand for and which pushes them far away from the intention to protect the local population, however we observe that the big responsibility lies on the state which does not exist in many parts of the country, leaving a very big place without the presence of the state is one among the factors, we also observe the failure of the current Government to respond to the basic needs of Wazalendo as they are fighting and strongly condemn various actors who criminalize the Wazalendo instead of supporting them and offering them the necessary trainings in terms of capacity building. Wazalendo remain civilians who have guns and the real solution is the withdraw of Rwandan Forces on the DRC Territory then Wazalendo will also melt down.
POSITION
We need to come close to Wazalendo, work with them in order to improve the situation of local population, train them, extend support to them and propose them other alternatives in order to cover their basic needs beyond the use of guns, intimidation and acts of violence against local population. Let us avoid the tendancy to criminalize them and instead involve them as make them work for the change they want to see.

2026-05-17 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Engaging the audience on issues around Wazalendo, they should be trained and supported but not criminalized because of human rights violations. Find more here ” https://cojeskidrcongo.org/forming-a-consessus-on-issues-around-wazalendo-during-a-conference-organized-by-dypol-in-partnership-with-friedrich-ebert-stiftung/
Coming events
Wednesday May 20th, 2026 we shall have a training on Refugee Durable Solutions which will take place at Kalamu Division Offices in Kinshasa.
On Saturday May 23 visit to IDPs around Kinshasa,
Tuesday May 26th 2026 Commemorating the forced deportation of Angelo Habomuremye a Rwandan refugee Human Rights Activist picked in Goma DRC.
May 28th, 2026 attending a meeting at the United Nations Offices in Kinshasa and a Day of Actions for Women’s Health Rights in DRCongo.
