On March 8th, International Women’s Day, Mrs. Biibi Rehema Namegabe, Coordinator of the SKYBORNE Foundation, took the initiative to mark the day with an act of solidarity and meditation for Congolese women, particularly those from the North and South Kivu provinces. In a context marked by war and ongoing violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the foundation is calling on women to observe a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection on the tragic situation that has plagued their country for over three decades.
Indeed, the DRC is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by a war that has been ongoing since 1996 and has caused unimaginable devastation. Millions of lives have been lost, and women, in particular, are the primary victims of this seemingly endless violence. According to Mrs. Biibi Rehema, this war has already affected three generations, particularly in the eastern provinces, where violence and insecurity remain rampant.
“The war in eastern DRC, which has been ongoing for three decades, is a tragedy that has caused irreparable damage, affecting three generations and claiming countless lives,” she emphasized, stressing the extent of the suffering endured by the Congolese population, especially women. In this region devastated by conflict, violence such as rape, massacres, and mass displacement of people have become a sad daily reality. Women, due to their vulnerability, are often the first to suffer these atrocities, and unfortunately, the situation shows no signs of improvement.
In light of this, Mrs. Rehema invites the female population of the DRC to observe a day of intense prayer, asking God for lasting peace in the country. “We are witnesses to the atrocious suffering of our fellow citizens, and it is together, through prayer and unity, that we can hope to see a glimmer of peace emerge,” she added. The Coordinator of the SKYBORNE Foundation also criticized the slow response of both the authorities and the international community to this prolonged crisis. According to her, the international community, though divided on the causes of the conflict, has failed to provide concrete solutions to alleviate the suffering of the affected populations. The Congolese government, for its part, appears powerless in the face of the advancing rebels, with the war threatening to expand further.
In this particularly difficult context, Mrs. Rehema reminds everyone that, despite the political interpretations and speeches surrounding this war, the suffering of the Congolese people remains unchanged. “No matter the label the international community, the current government, or the belligerents attach to this series of wars, it does not lessen the suffering of our poor population, lost in extreme despair,” she lamented. On this March 8th, the SKYBORNE Foundation thus calls for a national and international mobilization to support women and the Congolese population in their pursuit of peace and justice. In keeping with the Christian values that guide the foundation, Mrs. Biibi Rehema urges everyone to join in this collective prayer for a united, peaceful, and reconciled DRC. The challenges are numerous, but the strength of prayer and the unity of women can, it is hoped, offer hope in this struggle for peace and human dignity.
By kilalopress
