The Voice of the Voiceless for Human Rights (VSV) have uncovered the facts in the shocking acts of violence that transpired in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Goma, North Kivu Province where at least 55 people lost their lives during clashes with the authorities on August 30.
The VSV in collaboration with other local civil society groups in Goma conducted an independent investigation in the tragic incidents with their findings pointing to the military personnel having instigated the acts of violence against followers of the mystical-religious sect “Natural Judaic and Messianic Faith towards the Nations”, known as Wazalendo and eventually caused chaos in the city.
The information gathered from the VSV’s independent inquiry into the massacre suggests that crimes against humanity and genocide that could potentially fall into the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court were committed by the government sanctioned military personnel.
According to the VSV’s initial findings, the Wazalendo had planned to go on a peaceful march on August 30, 2023 to call for the aim the withdrawal of the MONUSCO and East African Community (EAC) troops in eastern DRC.
However, it is said that hooded soldiers between the hours of 3AM and 6AM scrabbled the fence to find their way into the premises of Sauti y a Neno radio station and arrested two people, Ephraïm Bisimwa and journalist Dorcas Tabita.
Bisimwa and Tabita are said to have been dragged outside the premises of the station where two army jeeps were seen parked and were then tied to the ground under military surveillance while other soldiers looted the radio station.
The scene then took a tragic turn when one of the two detainees, Tabita refused to get into one of the jeeps prompting one of the soldiers to open fire at point-blank range.
The gunshots alerted youths from the Messianic Church and triggered fierce altercations resulting in the death of a number of the youths who were shot dead with the lifeless bodies piled into the military vehicles.
Several other youths were left injured and rushed to the nearest hospital as the soldiers fled the scene and continued their deadly violence, killing more people and injuring many others.
The VSV have since called for a thorough investigation into the incidents and ensure that the perpetrators of the tragedy are brought to justice, regardless of their hierarchical position.
