Amnesty International is spearheading a campaign called ‘6 million voices for justice in Congo’. The petition’s goal is to gather six million signatures to demand accountability for victims of a conflict that has dragged on for more than three decades in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The human cost of endless war

In Goma’s Kasika neighborhood, 37-year-old Noël Chiza says he has never experienced peace. A father of five who has suffered repeated violence, he is outraged that some individuals he considers his tormentors now hold positions of responsibility in public institutions instead of facing justice.

“We were born in war, we grow up in war, we have lived through atrocities of all kinds and we risk dying in war. That is why we cannot continue to reward those who have committed crimes by integrating them into institutions, whether at the local or national level,” Chiza testified.

Beyond the death toll: survivors’ hidden wounds

The six million signatures sought by Amnesty International echo the estimated number of people who have died as a result of conflicts in eastern DRC. But behind that figure lie millions of other, less visible victims who are still alive. Among them are those like Josué Wallay, who was forced to flee his home region.

“Today I am displaced in Kinshasa, far from my community and my living environment, because of the conflicts raging in eastern DRC. This displacement is not a choice of comfort; it is a rupture with my environment, my habits, my activities and a part of what gave meaning to my daily life. The conflicts have affected me on multiple levels,” Wallay explained.

Why justice is the cornerstone of lasting peace

For Raphaël Wakenge, a human rights defender involved in the ‘6 million voices for justice in Congo’ campaign, fighting impunity is essential to achieving sustainable peace in the DRC.

“Congolese justice suffers not only from a lack of capacity, but also from a lack of political will. We need a justice system capable of providing answers to victims, including through reparations. We call on all those who stand in solidarity with Congolese victims to join this campaign.”

Through this campaign, Amnesty International is also calling for October 1 to be declared a ‘National Day of Reflection and Action on Crimes under International Law Committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo’.