The captain of Congo Chancel Mbemba and the forward Cédric Bakambu feature armed violence in the east of their country while playing in African Cup of Nations. Bakambu, who has featured in every match so far to help the Leopards reach the semi-finals, suggested on Twitter on Monday that the world is ignoring human rights abuses in Congo. “Everyone sees the massacres in eastern Congo, but everyone is silent. Put the same energy you use in talking about the African Cup to highlight what is happening to us.”
Eastern Congo has struggled with armed violence for decades as more than 120 groups fight for power, land and precious mineral resources, while others try to defend their communities. Armed groups have long waged campaigns of violence in the mineral-rich region and have been accused of mass killings. The conflict escalated in late 2021 when a rebel group called M23 re-emerged and launched attacks in sixteen territories.
The United Nations and human rights groups say the resurgent group has support from neighboring Rwanda, although that country denies this. “Thinking of all the victims of the atrocities in Goma and their families,” Mbemba wrote in X, referring to the Congolese city that borders Rwanda. “I pray with all my heart that my country will regain peace.” Members of an armed group believed to be the M23 fired on a UN helicopter in eastern Congo on Friday, wounding two South African peacekeepers, one of them seriously, the United Nations said.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi last week repeated his claims that M23 has Rwandan support and said he would not talk to Rwandan leader Paul Kagame on the issue. Also last week, armed activists believed to be linked to the Islamic State extremist group killed at least 12 people in three villages in Beni territory in Congo’s North Kivu province.
Congo will face host team Ivory Coast in the African Cup semi-finals in Abidjan this Wednesday. The winner will play either Nigeria or South Africa in Sunday’s finals. The Leopards had not won a match in regulation time in the tournament until Friday, when they beat Guinea 3-1 in the quarterfinals. They drew all three of their group stage matches and then beat Egypt on penalties to reach the quarterfinals. Congo won its last two titles in 1974.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
