Hundreds of women gathered on 14 February in Kinshasa to demand an end to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)’s eastern part, where clashes between the military and rebel groups have escalated. Led by Minister of Gender, Family and Children Mireille Masangu, the rally featured banners highlighting the plight of millions of victims since the conflict kicked off in 1994. The women condemned Rwanda’s alleged expansionist agenda, as well as foreign actors’ complicity. That includes that of the United States, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Poland.

The crisis is dire, but remains underreported. It has been called Africa’s ‘World War,’ with more than 6 million people killed and around 7 million internally displaced. The driving force for the violence is foreign corporations’ attempts to get their hands on Congolese resources such as timber, oil, gas, diamonds, cobalt, gold, copper and coltan. Companies like Apple and Tesla are battling a lawsuit linking them to child labour exploitation.

This protest is the culmination of recent demonstrations. A few days ago, fed-up youth attacked Western installations like the French embassy. They allegedly ripped Western flags off buildings across Kinshasa and set them on fire, prompting the government to beef up security. Intelligence services reportedly arrested a few activists. Plus, the DRC’s national football team held silent protests at Africa Cup of Nations matches, as well as with players’ pleas online.

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