Nobel Laureate, Denis Mukwege Urges EU to Intervene in DR Congo Massacre

DR Congo’s 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Denis Mukwege has called on France and the European Union to intervene in the on-going massacre in the country.

Dr Mukwege has asked France and the military to provide military support to help stop the civilian massacres in his country’s troubled east.

It appears Mukwege and many concerned citizens in the country have lost hope in the country’s military and the United Nations peacekeepers. It has been gathered that the crisis has increased in recent times despite the presence of UN peacekeepers and a Congolese army offensive.

AFP reports that at least 60 civilians have been killed in North Kivu province since October 30, most in attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Almost ten people killed this week in two more attacks blamed on the ADF in Beni and nearby Oicha, according to UN radio, citing military sources and local officials.

“We are urging the European Union and France, in particular, to consider sending elite troops… under Chapter 7 of the UN Security Council to protect the civilian population of Beni against terrorism,” Mukwege said in a statement.

Sadly, the security situation in DR Congo has become a huge cause for concern as the lives and properties of innocent citizens are lost daily.

Dr Denis Mukwege was the joint winner of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his work helping victims of sexual violence committed in the conflict-ridden eastern DR Congo.

You will recall that he called for a similar mission to the 2003 Operation Artemis, which saw EU troops deployed under French command to intervene in ethnic massacres in the neighboring DR Congo province of Ituri.

He said it should be a limited military operation in time and area.

French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested military cooperation by providing intelligence to help Congolese forces battle the militias.

However, many critics have faulted the call saying that it further increases the problem, not solve it. They are of the opinion that the current crisis is fueled underground by France and the EU to continually exploit DR Congo of its rich resources; thus, seeking their help is a step in the wrong direction.

What are your thoughts?

Header Image Credit: BBC