The Collectif des élus français originaires du Congo-Kinshasa (CEFOCK) has unveiled plans for a major diplomatic offensive in France to secure formal recognition of the GENOCOST—a campaign dedicated to acknowledging the Congolese genocide—beginning with the next parliamentary session in Paris. This strategic move follows a high-level meeting between CEFOCK representatives and President Félix Tshisekedi at the Cité de l’Union Africaine in Kinshasa.
The initiative aims to elevate the GENOCOST from a marginalized topic to a central debate in French and international policy circles. To achieve this, CEFOCK will deploy a multi-pronged approach: awareness campaigns, public conferences, and targeted advocacy efforts directed at French local governments, national institutions, and the Congolese diaspora.
The CEFOCK’s strategy seeks to break decades of silence surrounding the mass atrocities committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By leveraging their influence in French political circles, these elected officials aim to position the GENOCOST as a public policy priority—transcending the limited reach of non-governmental organizations.
Strengthening support through institutional collaboration
A critical component of this campaign is the partnership between CEFOCK and the Commission interinstitutionnelle d’aide aux victimes et d’appui aux réformes (CIA-VAR), a Congolese government body tasked with documenting atrocities, supporting victims, and preserving historical memory. Together, they will pursue two core objectives:
- Ensuring the victims’ narratives are preserved and preventing their stories from fading into obscurity.
- Advocating for official recognition of the genocide, paving the way for legal justice and reparative measures for survivors and affected families.
President Tshisekedi praised this collaboration, emphasizing its role in “strengthening the DRC’s international memory diplomacy” and positioning the country as a leader in transitional justice.
The Congolese diaspora steps into the political arena
The timing of this initiative coincides with intensified efforts by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to secure global recognition of the GENOCOST. The Congolese diaspora in France—now represented in municipal, departmental, and regional councils—has emerged as a powerful force for change. Through CEFOCK, this community is transitioning from passive testimony to active political advocacy.
By engaging directly with French lawmakers, the diaspora seeks to replicate the momentum seen in the recognition of other historical genocides. Their influence could tip the scales in favor of a parliamentary resolution recognizing the GENOST in France.
This grassroots movement mirrors the DRC’s domestic actions. Just days before the diplomatic push, on August 2, 2026—the National GENOCOST Remembrance Day—President Tshisekedi led a national ceremony honoring the victims. During the event, he announced the launch of the National GENOCOST Museum and the construction of a permanent memorial, signaling a commitment to institutionalize remembrance nationwide.
From Kinshasa’s policy corridors to the halls of the French National Assembly, the DRC is mobilizing every lever at its disposal to secure justice for the victims of the GENOCOST. The synergy between domestic initiatives and international advocacy underscores a unified national resolve to confront historical injustices.
