Let’s be honest—what’s happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) right now is nothing new. We all act shocked and surprised, but behind the collective gasp lies years of ignored atrocities, violence, and suffering. The world just can’t seem to wrap its head around the fact that the DRC is in perpetual crisis. But, here's the thing: the DRC didn’t just wake up as a hot mess of conflict. It’s been smoldering for decades.
And guess what? Rwandan President Paul Kagame is fed up with this charade. At a recent Extraordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State on the Eastern DRC, he called the international community’s bluff. He pointed out what should have been obvious to everyone years ago: the suffering in the DRC isn’t new. In fact, it’s an old story, but one no one wants to talk about.
"Where Were You?" Kagame Asks the World
“They have displaced people, they have killed people, they have persecuted them on a daily basis for who they are,” Kagame boldly said, calling out the reality that ethnic Tutsis have been displaced, murdered, and persecuted for years in the DRC. But it’s not like the world hasn’t seen this. No, instead, we get to watch as the same suffering keeps unfolding, and we act all surprised every time there’s an uptick in violence. It’s like we’re stuck in an eternal loop of humanitarian "concern" and emergency meetings, only to forget about it again until the next wave of headlines.
Kagame’s question was simple, but it packs a punch: “Where were we when this was happening all along?” The answer? Probably watching another round of Olympic games or something equally oblivious, while entire populations were displaced and killed in the DRC.
MONUSCO, FDLR, Mercenaries—And Still No Solution?
Let's talk about the so-called “peacekeepers” and “mediators.” We’ve got MONUSCO, SAMIDRC, Burundi, FDLR, and an assortment of mercenaries throwing their hats into the ring. But guess what? None of them have managed to make a real dent in the violence. And how could they? When your plan to stop a fire is to throw gasoline on it, you're not exactly headed for success.
Kagame put it bluntly: “Everybody is there watching this thing, and we pretend like we don’t understand what has been going on for all these years?” Does the world seriously not understand what’s happening, or have we just chosen to turn a blind eye to it? The presence of international forces hasn’t stopped the violence—it’s just allowed it to fester longer and reach more people.
The M23 Crisis: Déjà Vu?
Now, if you’ve been keeping up with the news, you might have noticed that Goma, the capital of North Kivu, just fell to the M23 rebel group. The world’s response? Outrage. But, hello? The M23 rebels didn’t just appear out of thin air—they’ve been around for years, and they’ve been backed by Rwanda. So, if we’re going to pretend that the latest capture of Goma is some kind of surprise, then maybe we should all collectively take a nap and let someone else handle the global conscience for a while.
Kagame wasn’t here for the shocked expressions or humanitarian concerns. He called it as he saw it: “This has been happening forever, so why the sudden surprise now?” There are deeper issues at play, and we can’t keep pretending that every escalation is an isolated incident. The violence and displacement in the DRC are products of systemic failures, not accidents.
The World’s “Concern” is Just a Band-Aid
Let’s take a hard look at how we’ve been handling the crisis in the DRC: badly. Sure, we’ve had peace talks, sanctions, and the occasional aid delivery, but none of it addresses the root causes of the conflict. And the moment we see a spike in violence, we trot out the same old "concern" and "calls for ceasefire." But do we actually do anything that tackles the underlying issues? Nope. Instead, we get brief moments of collective guilt followed by more passive inaction until the next round of suffering.
Kagame’s speech was a wake-up call, albeit one we’re all too likely to ignore. He doesn’t want more diplomatic handwringing; he wants action. Real action that addresses decades of persecution, ethnic violence, and a complete disregard for the dignity of the people caught in the middle.
What’s the Point of the World’s Attention?
I mean, really—what’s the point of all this global attention if it doesn’t result in change? It feels almost like an ongoing reality show where every new season sees a new humanitarian crisis, but no one remembers the plot from the last season. Just look at the situation today: tens of thousands displaced by violence, towns decimated, and still, the world keeps watching like this is some new, shocking development.
Maybe it’s time to stop pretending we don’t know the drill. Instead of sitting back with shocked faces and empty promises, the world needs to ask itself some tough questions. Will we just continue to show up to meetings with our platitudes, or will we put in the work to change the situation in the DRC for good?
A Controversial Call to Action
Kagame’s speech isn’t just a critique of the DRC’s internal strife—it’s a critique of the entire international community. He’s tired of the “knee-jerk” reactions, tired of the humanitarian concern that comes in waves, only to dissipate when the headlines move on. And frankly, he has a point. How many more refugees have to flee? How many more lives have to be destroyed before we stop pretending we’re not complicit in the never-ending cycle?
We can't continue to act surprised every time the violence erupts or feign concern just when it’s convenient. The DRC is not a crisis that’s just happening now. It’s a crisis that has been building for years. Kagame’s words are not just a warning—they’re a mirror. A reflection of the world’s failures in addressing a long-standing disaster.
The World Can’t Afford to Be Shocked Anymore
The DRC has been a hot mess for decades, and it will continue to be one unless we finally acknowledge the root causes of the violence and start addressing them, instead of just slapping a Band-Aid on the latest flare-up. Kagame’s words are a challenge to the international community, but the question remains: Will we step up, or will we continue to ignore the crisis until it blows up again?
Let’s face it: the DRC’s suffering is not a surprise—it’s a scandal. And the world’s indifference is no longer an option.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this article are solely for the purpose of encouraging thought and discussion regarding the ongoing crisis in the DRC and the role of the international community. The intention is not to place blame on any one group but to highlight the complexities of the situation and the need for a more effective and long-term solution. All perspectives should be considered in the broader context of addressing the crisis with care and respect for the people involved.
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