The leader of the Democratic Republic of the Congo called on UN members Tuesday to recognize a “silent genocide” in his nation.
President Felix Tshisekedi addressed the UN General Assembly, saying the Congolese people have suffered planned extermination for over 30 years.
He urged the creation of an independent international commission to break the cycle of impunity fueling decades of tragedy.
Tshisekedi also demanded UN sanctions against those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in eastern DRC.
A recent UN investigation reported potential war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all parties in the ongoing conflict.
Eastern DRC, rich in minerals, has faced violence for three decades, intensifying since 2021 with the resurgence of the M23 group.
The UN says the anti-government M23 group receives support from Rwanda and its army, escalating clashes across the region.
M23 captured the major cities of Goma in January and Bukavu in February, displacing hundreds of thousands and killing thousands.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday that France will host an emergency conference on the DRC crisis in October.
“In the Great Lakes region, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected,” Macron said in Paris.
He added that the international community must restore hope for Kivu’s population and those displaced by relentless violence.
Observers fear M23 may launch an offensive on Uvira, a strategic city of 500,000 still held by Congolese forces and allied militias.