The machinery behind a record petition
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a sprawling petition known as “6 million voices for justice in Congo” is pressing for accountability on a scale the country has rarely seen. The push is led by Amnesty International, which aims to gather six million signatures to demand justice for victims of a conflict that has now ground on for more than three decades.
At its core, the initiative reflects a deeper reality: while successive wars have produced staggering losses, the institutions meant to deliver redress have largely failed to respond. Understanding why requires looking beyond the headline numbers to the pressures, politics and personal losses that have shaped this campaign.
Growing up in the shadow of conflict
In the Kasika neighbourhood of Goma, Noël Chiza, 37, says he has never known peace. A father of five, Chiza has endured repeated violence and expresses outrage that some of those he holds responsible for his suffering now hold positions of responsibility in public institutions rather than facing justice.
“We were born in war, we grow up in war, we have lived through atrocities of every kind and we risk dying in war. That is why we cannot keep rewarding those who committed crimes by integrating them into institutions, whether at local or national level,” Chiza said.
Beyond the death toll: millions still living with the consequences
The six million signatures sought by the campaign refer to the estimated number of people who have died as a result of the conflicts in eastern DR Congo. But behind that figure lie millions of other, less visible victims who are still alive — among them people such as Josué Wallay, who was forced to flee his home region.
“Today I am displaced in Kinshasa, far from my community and my way of life, because of the conflicts raging in eastern DR Congo. This displacement was not a choice made for comfort; it is a break with my environment, my habits, my activities and a part of what gave meaning to my daily life. The conflicts have affected me on many levels,” Josué Wallay explained.
Why justice is seen as the foundation for lasting peace
For Raphaël Wakenge, a human rights advocate involved in the “6 million voices for justice in Congo” campaign, confronting impunity is essential if the country is to reach a durable peace.
“Congolese justice suffers not only from a lack of capacity, but also from a lack of political will. We need a justice system capable of providing answers to victims, including through reparations. We call on everyone who stands with Congolese victims to join this campaign.”
As part of the same effort, Amnesty International is also calling for 1 October to be designated a “National Day of Reflection and Action on Crimes under International Law Committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”