DRC’s Tshisekedi Urges UN to Recognise ‘Silent Genocide’ as France Announces Emergency Conference
In a powerful address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, 24 September 2025, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi called on world leaders to acknowledge what he described as a “silent genocide” raging in his country for over three decades. He urged the creation of an independent international commission to probe the atrocities and pushed for UN sanctions against those committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in the eastern regions.
On the same day, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will host an emergency conference in October to tackle the dire humanitarian crisis in the DRC. This comes amid escalating violence, with rebel group M23 seizing key cities and displacing hundreds of thousands.
The eastern DRC, rich in minerals like cobalt and gold, has been torn by conflict since the 1990s, spilling over from the Rwandan genocide. Tshisekedi’s plea highlights the human cost, with thousands killed and millions uprooted. As South Africa marks Heritage Day, reflecting on its own history of struggle and unity, the DRC’s plight serves as a stark reminder of how unresolved conflicts can devastate generations, calling for global solidarity to prevent further suffering.
Tshisekedi’s Impassioned Call for Justice at UNGA
President Tshisekedi did not hold back in his speech, stating: “All the signs of planned extermination are present… This is not just a conflict, it is a silent genocide that has been affecting the Congolese people for more than 30 years.” He demanded an independent inquiry to “break the cycle of impunity” that has fuelled the tragedy. Tshisekedi also called for targeted UN sanctions on perpetrators of the violence in the east, where armed groups battle for control.
A recent UN investigation backed his concerns, reporting possible war crimes and crimes against humanity by all sides in the conflict. The violence has worsened since 2021 with the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, which the UN accuses Rwanda of supporting – a claim Kigali denies. M23 has captured major hubs like Goma in January and Bukavu in February 2025, leading to thousands of deaths and mass displacement.
Observers now fear an assault on Uvira, a city of 500,000 in South Kivu still held by Congolese forces and allied militias. Social media posts from activists highlight ongoing atrocities, including killings and hate speech against ethnic Tutsis, drawing parallels to genocide. One post urged: “The ongoing genocide in Uvira is the result of Bitakwira’s hate speech and Tshisekedi’s actions. Tutsis are being murdered, and we cannot stay silent.”
Tshisekedi has long pushed for recognition of these horrors as genocide, or “Genocost,” to mobilise global action. His address builds on earlier calls, like in August 2025, when he urged DRC lawmakers to declare the violence a genocide.
France Steps Up with Emergency Conference in October
French President Emmanuel Macron responded swiftly, announcing that France will host an emergency conference on the DRC’s humanitarian situation next month in Paris. “In the Great Lakes region, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected,” Macron said in his UNGA speech. He added: “We must restore hope to the population of Kivu and to the hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced there.”
The meeting will bring together key players to address the emergency and coordinate efforts. This follows France’s ongoing involvement, including a planned major humanitarian conference in June 2025. Macron’s push aligns with broader calls for peace in the Great Lakes region, where the DRC’s crisis has spilled over borders.
The Roots and Human Cost of the Eastern DRC Conflict
Eastern DRC’s woes trace back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which sent armed groups fleeing into the area, sparking endless fights over land and resources. The mineral-rich zone has seen over 120 militias clash, displacing 7 million people – one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
M23’s revival in 2021, allegedly with Rwandan backing, has intensified the bloodshed. Clashes since January 2025 have killed thousands and forced hundreds of thousands to flee. Rwanda denies involvement, but UN reports suggest otherwise.
Activists warn of ethnic targeting, with posts claiming Tutsis face genocide-like violence fuelled by hate speech from figures like Justin Bitakwira. Calls for international intervention grow, with fears of further escalation if Uvira falls.
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