M23 rebels, who according to a United Nations Group of Experts Report are backed by Rwanda, are responsible for widespread war crimes in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Human Rights Watch.
[Op-Ed]
In the last two days we have been watching the reports about Gaza dominate news programs, Facebook posts, Twitter and the airwaves.
At the same time the Gaza population has been living through attacks, rebel forces backed by the Rwandan government have taken over Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
One thing the two conflicts share is that in both Gaza and Goma the civilian population is caught in the middle. But while the story of Gaza is under the media and progressive internet’s microscope, the story of Goma remains mostly untold.
The families living in Goma and camps nearby are “trapped in a horrific and accelerating cycle of murder, mutilation, rape, exploitation and mass displacement,” as The Guardian reported.
M23 rebels, who according to a United Nations Group of Experts Report are backed by Rwanda, are responsible for widespread war crimes in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Human Rights Watch.
The conflict in Goma won’t be taking the four-day Thanksgiving weekend while many of us do, and the people struggling to survive there won’t be feeling very thankful tomorrow. President John F. Kennedy said: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
As we gather in a celebration of thankfulness tomorrow, let’s take a moment to appreciate the peace we live in, allowing us to enjoy the day with our loved ones. So many people are living under conditions of conflict and war, so many don’t have the means to eat a wonderful meal together, so many families have lost members to these struggles of power that never seem to cease.
It isn’t enough though, to be thoughtful and thankful. As Kennedy said, the highest appreciation is to live by our words. TransAfrica is working to connect you to action you can take when you are concerned about situations like the one in Goma today.
Visit our website over the next day or so and you can find more information about the conflict and a petition you can sign to add your voice in calling on the U.S. to urge Rwanda to stop supporting the rebel forces in Goma.
Will you take action with us this week?
Nicole Lee, President
TransAfrica Team
