To the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, national governments, and international human rights organizations

We, citizens committed to justice, peace, and human rights, call for the immediate imposition of sanctions against the governments of Rwanda and Uganda for their direct involvement in the invasion and destabilization of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Their actions threaten regional stability, violate international law, and have caused immense suffering to millions of Congolese civilians.

Recent Escalation: The Invasion of Goma

 

On January 28, 2024, the M23 rebel group, heavily backed by Rwanda, launched an offensive toward Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. After capturing key towns like Kibumba, Rumangabo, and parts of Sake, the rebels are now at the gates of Goma, threatening to take over the city of over two million people.

• Eyewitness reports and UN investigations confirm that the M23 receives direct military support from Rwanda, including troops, artillery, and drones.
• Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee as the rebels advance, with reports of massacres, executions, and sexual violence committed against the local population.
• Ugandan forces (UPDF), under the pretext of fighting terrorism, have also entered eastern DRC, engaging in illegal military operations and resource exploitation.
• Despite multiple peace agreements, Rwanda and Uganda continue to violate Congolese sovereignty with total impunity.

Context and Historical Pattern of Aggression

For over two decades, Rwanda and Uganda have been accused of arming, training, and financing rebel groups in the DRC to exploit its vast mineral resources (gold, coltan, and rare earth minerals). Reports from the UN Group of Experts, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International confirm that:

• The Rwandan government, under Paul Kagame, has consistently used the M23 as a proxy force to maintain influence in the DRC.
• The Ugandan government, under Yoweri Museveni, has facilitated military operations that violate Congolese sovereignty while benefiting from illicit trade in minerals.
• Over 6.9 million Congolese people are currently displaced due to continued violence, making it one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

 

Our Demands

We call on international institutions and national governments to take urgent action by:

1. Imposing targeted economic and diplomatic sanctions on key Rwandan and Ugandan officials, including military and government leaders responsible for the aggression in the DRC.

2. Freezing all military aid and cooperation with Rwanda and Uganda until they cease their support for armed groups and withdraw from Congolese territory.

3. Expanding the arms embargo on Rwanda and Uganda to prevent the continued militarization of groups like the M23.

4. Launching an independent international investigation into the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Rwandan and Ugandan-backed forces, with prosecution before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

5. Deploying international pressure to force Rwanda and Uganda into a diplomatic resolution that respects the sovereignty of the DRC and ends their exploitation of Congolese resources.

 

Why Act Now?

• Goma is at risk of falling under foreign-backed rebel control, which could trigger massacres, mass displacement, and further regional instability.
• The Congolese people are under attack, and the international community has a moral obligation to intervene.
•  History has shown that appeasement has failed without strong sanctions and concrete action, Rwanda and Uganda will continue their aggression.
•  Ignoring these crimes will only embolden Kagame and Museveni to escalate their destabilization of the Great Lakes region.

 

Join the Fight for Justice

 

We demand strong and immediate measures to hold Rwanda and Uganda accountable for their war crimes and end their interference in the DRC.

Sign this petition now to demand sanctions and end impunity!

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