The African Women’s Leaders Forum (AWLF) is deeply concerned by the situation of women and girls in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We stand in profound grief and unwavering solidarity with the women and girls amidst the unspeakable atrocities unfolding in Goma and its surrounding regions.

The recent reports of hundreds of women being raped, burned alive, and killed during the chaos following a mass jailbreak at Munzenze prison are deeply harrowing. These heinous crimes, allegedly linked to the ongoing conflict with the M23 rebel group, represent one of the darkest chapters of this protracted crisis. The deliberate use of sexual violence as a weapon of war is a violation of international law and an affront to human dignity.

The AWLF is particularly alarmed by reports that UN peacekeepers have been restricted from investigating these atrocities, making it difficult to hold perpetrators accountable. This lack of access undermines justice and emboldens the cycle of violence. The ongoing insecurity has left 2,000 bodies awaiting burial in Goma and threatens to escalate as rebel forces advance toward Bukavu.

In response, AWLF urgently calls for the following:

1. Immediate Implementation of EAC-SADC Resolutions: We welcome the recent resolutions from the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) that prioritize peace and stability in the DRC. We urge all parties to commit to the ceasefire and work toward a permanent and verifiable peace agreement.
2. International Intervention for Protection and Accountability: We call upon the United Nations, African Union, and international community to strengthen peacekeeping efforts, ensure unrestricted access for investigations, and support justice for the victims of these atrocities.
3. Protection of Women and Girls: Women and girls must be at the forefront of peace and humanitarian efforts. Their safety, dignity, and voices must be prioritized in all negotiations and interventions. Sexual violence as a weapon of war must be unequivocally condemned and prosecuted.
4. Humanitarian Support: The humanitarian crisis in Goma requires immediate and sustained aid. The international community must address the urgent needs of displaced families, including medical care, mental health support, and resources for survivors of sexual violence.

The AWLF remains steadfast in its commitment to amplifying the voices of Congolese women and girls, advocating for their protection, and demanding justice for the atrocities they have suffered. We stand with the resilient women and girls of the DRC and will continue to work tirelessly for a future where they can live in peace, dignity, and hope.

In solidarity,

The African Women’s Leadership Forum (AWLF)