By Twink Jones Gadama
Hundreds of Congolese protesters gathered outside BBC Broadcasting House in London to condemn the capture of Goma by the M23 armed group, backed by Rwanda’s military. The protesters also urged top European football clubs, including Arsenal, Bayern, and PSG, to end their Visit Rwanda sponsorships.
The capture of Goma, a strategic city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis. Over 400,000 civilians have been displaced in the past month alone, and nearly two million have been displaced in 2024.
The protesters, waving Congolese flags and holding signs, chanted slogans condemning the M23’s actions and Rwanda’s support for the group. They also called on the international community to take action to stop the violence and protect civilians.
“We are here today to condemn the capture of Goma and the ongoing violence in the DRC,” said one protester. “We urge the international community to take action to stop the M23 and Rwanda’s support for the group. We also call on Arsenal, Bayern, and PSG to end their Visit Rwanda sponsorships, which are helping to fund the M23’s activities.”
The protesters also criticized the Rwandan government’s role in the conflict, accusing it of providing military support to the M23. They called on the international community to hold Rwanda accountable for its actions.
“We are not just protesting against the M23, we are also protesting against Rwanda’s government, which is supporting the M23,” said another protester. “We urge the international community to take action to hold Rwanda accountable for its actions.”
The protest was peaceful, with police officers present to ensure public safety. The protesters dispersed after several hours, vowing to continue their campaign to raise awareness about the situation in the DRC and to pressure the international community to take action.
The capture of Goma has sparked widespread condemnation from the international community, with many calling for an immediate end to the violence and for those responsible to be held accountable.
In a statement, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs condemned the M23’s actions and called on all parties to deescalate immediately. They also urged the international community to take action to stop the violence and protect civilians.
The situation in the DRC remains dire, with hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced and many more affected by the violence. The international community must take action to stop the violence and protect civilians.
