During the protest march towards the International Criminal Court, the call for justice for Congo sounds

There is the sky -blue field as a background that stands for peace and unity. But also the diagonally winding golden band, which crosses the blue surface from corner to corner – as a promise of prosperity, because of congos -coveted raw materials. But on Saturday in The Hague, where a protest march of about a hundred people went to the International Criminal Court to demand the end of the de facto Rwandan occupation in Congo, the demonstrators focused mainly on the red line along the golden band of the Congolese flag: the symbol of The blood of the 'martyrs'that they want to print under the nose of the international community.

« It breaks my heart. I see people who look like me, my cousins, my aunts, and nothing happens. The world looks away ”. Glodi Mbwete (31) was born and raised in The Hague. But today he is here as a son of Congo.

Since the M23 rebels supported by Rwanda in January in Eastern Congo intensified and taking the key city of Goma, tens of thousands of Congolese have been killed. But the war has deep roots that go further.

'Justice for Congo '. It is a winged slogan that has been on the lips of protesters during demonstrations for Congo for years and is chalked on protest signs. Due to the stories he received at home, Mbewese was carefully permeated at a young age of the tragedy of the fate of his homeland. Only later, as a teenager, did he really understand the contours of those stories: Congo, the country that is so rich that it cannot own itself.

But what does justice look like for a people who were suffering from generations under the yoke of war and looting? For Mbewese, who, together with his brother Gaetan, founded 'We are Congolese' – the initiator of De Mars – the answer is amazingly simple. « May exist, » he says. « Do not have to fight to survive. We just want peace. No longer let our children grow up in fear. Give them the chance to get older than 25 years. We want to be able to build something, enjoy the fruits of our country. So that the land that produced did not remain curse, but becomes a blessing. « 

From The Hague Central, the Mars sets itself in motion. The voices, mainly from the Congolese diaspora and solidary human rights activists, unite, while the drums determine the rhythm. 'Congo N'est Pas à Vendre ' You can read on the plates of the plates. Congo is not for sale. The procession moves from the station to the International Criminal Court. A place where the world should find justice. A place where the majority of the Congolese people want to see Rwandan President Paul Kagame on the Klagenbank. « Kagame dégage!« It sounds creaking but militant from the megaphone. « Rot up, Kagame! »

Europe complicit

It is precisely last week that ICC headlower Karim Khan emphasized during a visit to Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, the need for international law in Eastern Congo. Nevertheless, the international community-despite repeated UN reports on Rwandan involvement-does not seem to intervene. While Rwandan and M23 troops have now penetrated Bukavu, the capital of the Eastern Congolese province of South Kivu, the financial and diplomatic support for Rwanda remains largely intact. The United Kingdom warned last week that about billion euros in help to Rwanda is at stake. Germany previously canceled negotiations on further development cooperation. But merely symbolic warnings and half -hearted measures are not enough for the protesters present. They demand that Europe takes a position against Rwanda with one voice.

No Congo No iPhone

Tech giants are also being taken up in The Hague – No Congo No Tesla, No Congo No iPhone. According to the Patricia Kabasubabu (34) Vlaardingen, Kagame also gets Carte Blanche from the international community. « We are all connected to Congo. » she says. « The phones in our pockets, the minerals in our electronics, the blood of our people is in that technology. We exhaust a country collective without recognizing the consequences. Yes, we need raw materials for technology, but let it happen in an honest way, without violence. And make sure that the country itself benefits. Can be sovereign yourself. If the situation in Congo had direct consequences for the West, then there would have been a long time. « 

« Union Européenne Complice! ”blaring it accusingly from the throats, referring to European complicity. Because in addition to the Rwandan occupation, both geopolitical choices and economic interests of the EU maintain current violence. The EU concluded a raw material agreement with Rwanda in 2023, while Kigali (the capital of Rwanda) benefits from the illegal trade in raw materials. In addition, 'Donor Darling' Rwanda, fed by Kagames reputation as an efficient director and stable partner, financially supported by Europe, with about a third of his budget from international aid is financially supported. Kagame offers that reality the space to continue its area expansion in Eastern Congo without serious repercussions.

Alphonse Muambi, one of the speakers today, has been actively in discussions about the fate of Congo since 2008. « It is not the first time that we were heard. We demand justice, we demand for the thought.  » The Netherlands is also involved, Muambi explains. Economic interests, raw materials that enter Europe through Rwanda, a strategic partnership that is deeply rooted. « It's a political choice, » he says. « The Netherlands can impose sanctions on Rwanda. The Hague can exert political pressure. But it chooses not to do that.  » Earlier this week, Minister Caspar Veldkamp (Foreign Affairs, NSC) kept the boat off for sanctions by first looking at « what diplomatic opportunities are still there before those types of sanctions are set ».

Congo as a test

The Mars is approaching the square in front of the Criminal Court, which should be a castle of law and justice with its spotless windows – against which a careful spring sun is reflected. The demonstrators joined Muambi. In French, he emphatically focuses on the institute. « Ladies and gentlemen of the ICC, we are not naive. We know that international law no longer functions. (…) But you have an opportunity: to give justice at international level meaning again. If you let this opportunity shoot, you will be on the wrong side of history. Congo is your test. Enough dear and empty words: it's time to act. « 

The demonstrators hope that their voice will be heard. That political choices, the economic interests, the historical ties make way for something else: justice. « Innocent civilians suffer in Eastern Congo and are murdered and raped with impunity. Why are we still accepting this? ”, The Vlaardingen Kabasubabu wonders aloud.

As Congolese, she feels a responsibility to give the collective anger a voice. « If we don't walk, who is? Who is then for Congo? ”

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