On August 30, 2023, Congolese soldiers launched a brutal attack on members of the Wazalendo movement, a Christian religious sect that had planned a demonstration against the UN’s MONUSCO peacekeeping mission. According to Amnesty International, Congolese special forces raided a radio station before dawn, executing six people on the spot. As protesters later gathered at their temple, heavily armed soldiers from the Republican Guard opened fire, killing dozens more. See the video of the dead bodies being stached up below.
Congolese security forces shot and killed dozens of protesters, and injured more, The protesters gathered in the city of Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on August 30, 2023. The security forces also arrested people. pic.twitter.com/UGcSs51xWg
— B.L.A SQ (@MatthewEkong) September 2, 2023
Eyewitnesses reported that troops collected bodies in military trucks, and authorities later prevented families from recovering the remains for burial. While the government officially acknowledged 56 deaths, a confidential UN report estimated the number at 102 killed, including 90 men, 8 women, and 4 boys, with at least 80 others injured. amnesty.org.
The military response to this massacre was widely criticized. A trial convicted a senior officer, Colonel Mikombe, for ordering soldiers to fire, but broader systemic accountability remained elusive. Many senior commanders responsible for the operation, including Military Governor Ndima, were never prosecuted. amnesty.org.
This is what Incompetent Tshisekedi is doing to the people of DRC. As an African (I don’t care about mercenaries- they want money ) how do you support such Acts against defenceless Women and Children? Tshisekedi MUST fall! pic.twitter.com/YhnI3KfZph
— African (@ali_naka) January 31, 2025
Kinshasa Protest Crackdown – May 2023
On May 20, 2023, government forces violently dispersed an opposition-led protest in Kinshasa over concerns about the transparency of upcoming elections. Protesters were attacked not only by police but also by a youth group allegedly affiliated with Tshisekedi’s ruling party. Many demonstrators were injured, and Francine Naba, a member of the opposition L’Envol party, was found dead days later. She had been abducted hours after attending the protest, but no one was held accountable for her murder. amnesty.org
Mass Executions in Angenga Prison: January 2025
In January 2025, reports emerged that the DRC government had executed 102 individuals labeled as “urban bandits” at Angenga prison. These executions marked a significant departure from a 20-year moratorium on the death penalty, which had been lifted in March 2024. Human rights organizations expressed deep concern over the resumption of executions, emphasizing the potential for miscarriages of justice and the need for comprehensive strategies to address crime that respect human rights. news.com.au.
Crackdown on Opposition and Free Speech
Throughout 2023, security forces systematically targeted opposition leaders and activists, preventing them from organizing rallies. Figures like Moïse Katumbi, Martin Fayulu, and Matata Ponyo were repeatedly blocked from entering certain provinces. Arrests of journalists also escalated—Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, a prominent journalist, was detained for months on dubious charges for reporting on a leaked intelligence document. amnesty.org.
Extrajudicial Killings and Massacres Under Tshisekedi
The Goma massacre and Kinshasa protest crackdown are part of a broader pattern of state violence against civilians in the DRC since Tshisekedi came to power. Other incidents include:
- July 2022 MONUSCO Protests: At least 15 people were killed during demonstrations in Goma and Butembo against the UN peacekeeping force. Among the dead were three UN peacekeepers
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- Arbitrary Detentions and Enforced Disappearances: Activists, opposition figures, and members of the Tutsi and Banyamulenge communities have been abducted or arrested on fabricated charges
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A Call for Justice
Despite repeated calls from human rights organizations, justice remains elusive. Military trials have punished only a few lower-ranking soldiers while high-ranking commanders continue to serve in the government or military. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have urged authorities to conduct independent investigations and hold all those responsible accountable. amnesty.org, amnesty.org.
The memory of those who perished at the hands of state violence must not fade. These individuals—protesters, activists, journalists, and civilians—gave their lives in pursuit of justice, democracy, and human rights. Their sacrifice calls for urgent action against impunity in the DRC.
For more detailed reports, you can read Amnesty International’s full investigation into the Goma massacre and their broader human rights report on the DRC here.
ps://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/12/drc-senior