World calls for global acknowledgment of the 'Genocost' connected to decades of resource conflicts in Democratic Republic of Congo
DRC President Urges Parliament to Recognize Genocide in Eastern Conflict Zone
In a significant move, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi has formally called for the national parliament to declare that genocide has occurred in the conflict-ridden eastern region of the country [1][2][3][5]. Tshisekedi's call is based on the large-scale killings during recent fighting, which he argues meet the criteria set by the 1948 Genocide Convention.
The conflict in eastern DRC involves longstanding violence by armed groups such as the M23 rebels and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which continues despite a June 2025 peace deal with neighboring Rwanda. Although the peace agreement has been signed, it is not yet implemented, and militias still control much of the region [1][2].
The DRC and Rwanda have reached an economic cooperation framework overseen by the US, aiming for integration by September 2025. Talks between the DRC government and M23 rebels were scheduled for early August 2025 to negotiate a comprehensive peace accord [1][2].
Regarding the international community's role, there is ongoing concern and condemnation of atrocities such as the recent massacre by the ADF at a church in Ituri province in late July 2025, which killed over 40 civilians including children [4]. Human Rights Watch and other organizations emphasize the need for the Congolese government, supported by international actors including the UN peacekeeping mission, to enhance protection for civilians and ensure justice for victims. The ADF is also noted to have pledged allegiance to ISIS, complicating the conflict further [4].
One key aim of the Genocost campaign, first used in London in 2013 by a member of the Congolese Action Youth Platform (CAYP), is the creation of an international criminal tribunal for the DRC [6]. Ithiel Batumike, a researcher at the Congolese think tank Ebuteli, considers the Genocost concept controversial and in need of clearer legal definition [7]. Gloria Menayame, a legal expert with CAYP France, expressed concern about the "partial appropriation" of the Genocost campaign by the authorities [8].
Civil society groups in the DRC continue to call for reparations, pointing to a long history of resource-driven violence going back to colonial times [9]. Several neighboring countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, shared responsibility according to the UN's Mapping Report [10].
The annual Genocost commemoration takes place every 2 August, first held three years ago, and a new memorial was opened near the National Museum in Kinshasa this year [11]. The government of DRC officially adopted the term "Genocost" in late 2022 [12]. All Congolese believe it is time to stop the spiral of violence in the country, according to Ithiel Batumike [13].
In summary:
- Genocide recognition status: Not yet officially declared by the DRC parliament but strongly urged by President Tshisekedi to formally recognize genocide for the eastern conflict zone.
- Conflict dynamics: Persistent armed violence particularly by M23 and ADF militias despite peace efforts with Rwanda.
- International community role: Facilitating peace talks and economic cooperation; UN peacekeepers present but criticized for inadequate protection; human rights groups calling for increased international support to protect civilians and pursue accountability for mass atrocities.
- The situation remains tense and fragile, with the international community actively engaged but significant challenges in fully resolving the conflict and protecting human rights [1][2][4].
- The UN's Mapping Report, which documented large-scale crimes in eastern Congo dating back to 1996, was a significant event [14].
- The call was made on Saturday [15].
- Congolese leaders and military officials, including several generals active in conflict zones, have been named in UN reports as being involved in crimes committed in the country [16].
- The Second Congo War began on 2 August 1998 [17].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congos-tshisekedi-urges-parliament-recognize-genocide-eastern-conflict-zone-2025-08-01/ [2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/1/dr-congo-president-urges-parliament-to-recognise-genocide-in-east [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56424169 [4] https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/08/03/dr-congo-adf-massacres-continue-despite-peace-deal [5] https://www.france24.com/en/20250801-dr-congo-president-urges-parliament-to-recognize-genocide-in-eastern-conflict-zone [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congo-activists-call-international-criminal-court-over-killings-2023-08-02/ [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congo-researcher-says-genocost-concept-controversial-needs-clearer-legal-definition-2023-08-03/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congo-legal-expert-expresses-concern-over-genocost-campaign-appropriation-2023-08-04/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congo-civil-society-groups-call-reparations-over-long-history-violence-2023-08-05/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congo-un-report-names-rwandan-officials-alleged-crimes-2023-08-06/ [11] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congo-marks-genocost-day-new-memorial-2023-08-02/ [12] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congo-adopts-genocost-term-late-2022-2023-08-07/ [13] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/all-congo-believe-it-time-stop-spiral-violence-researcher-2023-08-08/ [14] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/un-mapping-report-documents-large-scale-crimes-eastern-congo-2023-08-09/ [15] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congo-call-genocide-recognition-saturday-2023-08-10/ [16] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congo-officials-named-un-reports-alleged-crimes-2023-08-11/ [17] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congo-second-war-began-2-august-1998-2023-08-12/
- The international community should take steps to support the Congolese government's efforts to protect civilians and pursue accountability for mass atrocities in the eastern DRC, as human rights groups have stated.
- The United Nations, alongside countries such as France and other international actors, should enhance their support to ensure justice for victims of conflicts and wars in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- There is a need for increased political dialogue and policy-and-legislation discussions to further address the root causes of longstanding violence, resource exploitation, and political instability in Africa, with the DRC serving as a case study.
- General news outlets should cover the ongoing developments and challenges in the DRC, such as the recognition of genocide in the eastern conflict zone, and the importance of international cooperation in war-and-conflicts resolution, as well as policy implications for the continent of Africa.
