A human rights organization has demanded a thorough investigation into senior officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo for what it describes as deliberate and coordinated violence against protesters. Last August, security forces in the eastern city of Goma used lethal force to quash demonstrations organized by a local sect known as Wazalendo, who were rallying against the long-standing U.N. peacekeeping mission.
According to the group’s findings, Congolese military and police units killed at least 56 individuals and wounded dozens more. Evidence reviewed by the rights advocates suggests this was no accident; internal directives reportedly encouraged soldiers to “destroy isolated enemy elements.” Among those implicated are a former provincial governor and two top-ranking military officers. While one commander has already been sentenced to death—an outcome the advocates oppose on principle—others have yet to face any accountability.
The deadly response highlights the entrenched frustrations in the region, where ordinary people feel unprotected against armed groups and rebel factions. Protesters had long accused U.N. forces of failing to safeguard communities, which have endured decades of violence and displacement. Observers now call on Congolese authorities to ensure impartial inquiries that adhere to international standards. They urge the suspension of senior officials allegedly involved and an overhaul of security measures so that demonstrations are met with dialogue and restraint, not deadly force.