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X-WR-CALNAME:Cojeski DRC
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://cojeskidrcongo.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Cojeski DRC
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DTSTART:20250101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260427T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260427T170000
DTSTAMP:20260525T084153
CREATED:20260427T174129Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T174148Z
UID:26599-1777276800-1777309200@cojeskidrcongo.org
SUMMARY:Ongoing meetings
DESCRIPTION:OUR CURRENT MEETINGS \n \nOn 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. \nOn 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. \nOn 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\, \nOn Thursday April 30th\, 2026\, we shall our communication plan meeting in order to come up with a communication strategy\, \nOn 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.
URL:https://cojeskidrcongo.org/event/ongoing-meetings/
CATEGORIES:Conference,Meetings,Workshop
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260507T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260507T170000
DTSTAMP:20260525T084153
CREATED:20260507T102102Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T102336Z
UID:26635-1778140800-1778173200@cojeskidrcongo.org
SUMMARY:Promoting the protection of refugees in DRC in line the world refugee day June 20th
DESCRIPTION:CAMPAIGNS FOR THE PROTECTION OF REFUGEES IN DRCONGO \nCalling 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. \n \nSOLIDARITY WITH REFUGEES IS NOT A CHOICE BUT A MUST \nThis is what Germain Mirhonyi had to said and encouraged people to show acts of solidarity with refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo. \n \n3Million Refugees unknown in the Democratic Republic of Congo \nMore than 30 Million refugees have no protection of the state in DRC\, they are not identified and have no specific place of residence. \n \nWE SHOULD PROMOTE RESETTLEMENT FOR REFUGEES IN DRCONGO  \n \n 
URL:https://cojeskidrcongo.org/event/promoting-the-protection-of-refugees-in-drc-in-line-the-world-refugee-day-june-20th/
CATEGORIES:Campaigns,Conference,Letters,Meetings,Petitions,Trainings,Urgent Action,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cojeskidrcongo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG-20260504-WA01911.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260510T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260510T170000
DTSTAMP:20260525T084153
CREATED:20260510T091505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260510T091541Z
UID:26679-1778400000-1778432400@cojeskidrcongo.org
SUMMARY:Campaign to mitigate Myths around refugees in DRCongo
DESCRIPTION:Great popular support to our Campaign for Solitary towards refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo  \nWith one objective: To mitigate the presence of refugees and mobilize the host communities to participate in the refugee protection. \n \nBackground information  \nNot 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? \nBasing 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. \nThe first week of our social media campaign in DRCongo  \nToday 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. \nWhile 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. \nWe want to now to continue the Campaign  \nWe 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. \nThis 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. \nMeeting with a delegation of Rwandan Refugees  \n \nAs 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. \nThey 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”. \nThis 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”. \nThis 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?” \nThen 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”. \nIn 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. \nWhile 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. \nOfficial reactions  \nWe 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. \nConclusion \nLet 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. \nPlease join us and let us do this together with you. \nThanks \n  \n 
URL:https://cojeskidrcongo.org/event/campaign-to-mitigate-myths-around-refugees-in-drcongo/
CATEGORIES:Campaigns,Conference,Letters,Meetings,Petitions,Trainings,Urgent Action,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cojeskidrcongo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Theo.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260511T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260511T170000
DTSTAMP:20260525T084153
CREATED:20260511T102404Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260511T102404Z
UID:26686-1778486400-1778518800@cojeskidrcongo.org
SUMMARY:What do think about our fellow young people in Wazalendo Local Defense Force in DRC
DESCRIPTION: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”. \nBackground information \nWazalendo 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……….. \nIn 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. \nWe 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. \nPOSITION \nWe 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. \n 
URL:https://cojeskidrcongo.org/event/what-do-think-about-our-fellow-young-people-in-wazalendo-local-defense-force-in-drc/
CATEGORIES:Campaigns,Conference,Meetings,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cojeskidrcongo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Wazalendo.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260517T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260517T170000
DTSTAMP:20260525T084153
CREATED:20260517T110600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260517T110600Z
UID:26701-1779004800-1779037200@cojeskidrcongo.org
SUMMARY:
DESCRIPTION: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/   \nComing events \nWednesday May 20th\, 2026 we shall have a training on Refugee Durable Solutions which will take place at Kalamu Division Offices in Kinshasa. \nOn Saturday May 23 visit to IDPs around Kinshasa\, \nTuesday May 26th 2026 Commemorating the forced deportation of Angelo Habomuremye a Rwandan refugee Human Rights Activist picked in Goma DRC. \nMay 28th\, 2026 attending a meeting at the United Nations Offices in Kinshasa and a Day of Actions for Women’s Health Rights in DRCongo. \n  \n 
URL:https://cojeskidrcongo.org/event/26701/
CATEGORIES:Campaigns,Conference,Meetings,Trainings,Urgent Action,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cojeskidrcongo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Conf-Three-scaled.jpg
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