FEMNET | African Women in Solidarity with Women Leaders in DRC

African Women in Solidarity with Women Leaders in DRC

By Femnet_
30 Nov 2022

The ongoing armed conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has led to deaths and massive displacements in the resource rich areas of in Rutshuru and Bunagana regions.

So far over 300, 000 people have been displaced with women and children bearing the biggest burden. According to the United Nations (UN), the conflict has recorded the largest humanitarian crisis in Africa.

The Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi warned that the regional tensions could escalate into a full-blown war if the situation is not contained. This has called for rapid intervention from the EAC regional bloc which led to the appointment of the former president of Kenya, H.E Uhuru Kenyatta to mediate the peace processes between DRC and Rwanda.

In his consultation visit to Kinshasa the former President Uhuru Kenyatta was alarmed at the catastrophic situation in the country.

“All these children, mothers and old people have become strangers in their country. Whatever our differences, let us have pity on them and stop the war before we start talking. What I have seen is a catastrophe. This war must be stopped immediately,” exclaimed Uhuru Kenyatta

Following the ongoing peace talks, women leaders from DRC came to Nairobi and rallied for support from Kenyan women and political leaders. They sought for rapid response and audience with the former President Uhuru Kenyatta citing exclusion from the mediation process.

In response to this distressing call, FEMNET in solidarity with women’s rights organizations, feminist movements, civil society, political leaders, human rights defenders, girls and young women, UNWOMEN and the media joined the DRC women leaders in advocating for a just, dignified and inclusive peace talks.

Memory Kachambwa, the Executive Director at FEMNET said, “There can never be lasting peace without women engagement.”

Speaking on the same, Hon. Esther Passaris the incumbent Nairobi Woman Representative called for peace, engagement of African women and national assembly’s solidarity with the citizens of Congo. Here is the link of her submission in the National Assembly.

This article was written and compiled by Dorothy Otieno and Imali Ngusale. For more information on FEMNET’s work on Women’s Transformative Leadership contact d.otieno@femnet.or.ke