Massacre in the Congo: almost 50 people killed at a demonstration against the United Nations
On August 30, a demonstration against the United Nations (UN) was carried out in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, that resulted in at least 48 killed and, according to the authorities, with another 75 injured and 168 arrested. Also one police officer has died during the protests, stoned by the crowd. The demonstration was specifically directed against the UN military camp and was prohibited by the authorities. At the time they arrived the State forces were already prepared to avoid their entry.
This manifestation was specifically given against the “Stabilization Mission” of the United Nations (MONUSCO). The protesters, who declare themselves as anti-imperialists, demand the abandonment of this operation and the departure of the UN and other forces of East Africa accusing them of inaction against the insecurity of the country. This operation has been carried out uninterruptedly in the African country since 1999. In this operation “contributed” countries such as the United States, Belgium, China or France, imperialist countries with great economic interest in the African country.
It is therefore no coincidence, that among the 16,000 soldiers that are part of MONUSCO operation, most are concentrated in the rich mining areas of Congo. The Congo is one of the countries where the most plunder of cobalt, lithium, copper, tin, magnesium, tungsten, diamond and gold take place. These minerals are very important for imperialist countries because they are necessary for aeronautical, pharmaceutical and in general for electronic industries. However, the conditions suffered by the Congolese people to extract them are semi-slavery, where there is a high danger of death among adults and children, since child labor is widely used in this works.
Imperialist countries such as China or the United States have a great interest in continuing the UN mission since it serves their interests. China, for example, has great commercial agreements since 2008 with an investment of 2,740 million for infrastructure projects, which will allow it to improve the transport of the plundered raw materials of the continent. In return, it will receive more than 6,200 million dollars in minerals in total.
However, although China is strategically advancing in its position in Africa, the clear domain remains of the Yankee imperialist superpower and its allies such as France. There is so much domination, that it is the United States himself who imposes sanctions on six people for “destabilization of the area” in the Congolese country. Three of these people are belonging to the militias of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, which also operate in Congo. And to another person of the National Liberation Group Movement March 23, a militia that operates in Kivu Norte, an area rich in minerals.
It is not the first time that a similar situation happens. In 2017, two UN “experts” that where in a investigatory mission in the area were killed and the authorities arrested hundreds of people. Years later, in 2022, 51 people were sentenced to capital punishment, 22 of those sentenced were absent in the massive trial.
