Amnesty International has issued a strong call for an investigation into a former provincial governor and two senior military officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), alleging “possible crimes against humanity” in the brutal crackdown on a protest in August 2023.

The protest, organized by the sect Natural Judaic and Messianic Faith Towards the Nations, commonly referred to as Wazalendo, turned deadly in Goma, leaving at least 56 dead and 80 injured.

The demonstration opposed the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO, which has been deployed since 2010. The mission, initially tasked with protecting civilians, supporting humanitarian efforts, and stabilizing the region, has increasingly drawn criticism from locals.

Many Congolese argue that MONUSCO has failed to shield communities from rebel violence in a region beset by decades of armed conflict. Frustrations boiled over during the Goma protest, which authorities quickly moved to suppress.

The eastern regions of the DRC have long been plagued by violence as more than 120 armed groups compete for control of land and valuable mineral resources.

These ongoing conflicts have displaced over seven million people and led to widespread human rights abuses, including mass killings.

Against this backdrop, MONUSCO has struggled to maintain its relevance, with protests against its presence becoming more frequent and intense.

Despite these grievances, Goma’s mayor, Faustin Napenda Kapend, banned the August protest, citing concerns that the organizers were inciting hate and violence.

However, Amnesty International’s report challenges this claim, stating there is no evidence of such incitement in Wazalendo’s public statements or messages. The group’s findings suggest the violence that erupted was premeditated rather than spontaneous.

Congolese security forces reportedly positioned themselves at major intersections in Goma ahead of the protest.

According to Amnesty International, operational plans revealed explicit instructions to “destroy isolated enemy elements.” The rights group alleges that the killings were not an unintended escalation but rather the outcome of coordinated actions by state authorities.

“This massacre was not the result of a blunder by a few soldiers who intervened unexpectedly after Wazalendo followers stoned a police officer, as authorities have claimed,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s regional director for East and Southern Africa.

“It was the result of a series of deliberate, planned actions by the Congolese authorities, after MONUSCO explicitly requested they prohibit the protest.”
Tigere Chagutah

Official Accused Of Atrocities

The report highlights the involvement of three key officials. Lt. Gen. Constant Ndima, the governor of North Kivu province at the time, reportedly directed military and police forces to take all necessary measures to protect MONUSCO facilities and the city of Goma.

Amnesty International further accuses Col. Mike Kalamba Mikombe, head of the Republican Guard unit in Goma, of ordering soldiers to open fire on unarmed protesters, resulting in dozens of fatalities.

Maj. Peter Kabwe, leader of the Republican Guard’s Special Forces, is accused of leading a raid on a Wazalendo radio station before the protest, during which six individuals, including a journalist, were summarily executed.

Although Mikombe was convicted and sentenced to death for his role in the violence—a penalty Amnesty International opposes on principle, Ndima and Kabwe have not faced legal consequences.

Amnesty International is now urging Congolese authorities to reopen investigations into the massacre. The organization calls for accountability that meets both regional and international standards.

“The Democratic Republic of Congo authorities must reopen the investigations into this massacre, in line with regional and international standards, to establish the truth and hold all of those involved accountable.”
Tigere Chagutah

The rights group has also called on President Felix Tshisekedi to suspend Ndima and Kabwe while further investigations are conducted. Additionally, it recommended barring military units like the Republican Guard and Special Forces from participating in law enforcement operations to prevent future abuses.

This incident has cast a shadow over Congo’s human rights record, intensifying calls for reforms within its security forces and governance structures. As the nation grapples with the fallout, many hope that renewed attention on this tragedy will push the government to prioritize justice and accountability.