Dear friends,

The war in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo is not finishing.

For seven months now, the population on the North Kivu is once again on the run, caught up on extreme poverty and each day faces with death.

Without ignoring the responsibility of the Congolese ruling class and some local economic worker in this crises, it is indispensable to draw from the conclusions of the final report, presented by a group of United Nations experts, that has confirmed the direct involvement of Rwanda and Uganda on the recent re-start of the war, sparked off by the rebel movement March 23 (M23) whose military branch has been renamed the Congo Revolutionary force (ARC).

The dissuading attempts sent to the Rwandan government by the international community have been up till now timid and uncertain. This has not been able to discourage Rwanda’s offensive politics towards the Democratic Republic of Congo started since 1996.

It is time that the European Union as a whole, with its members take common decisions capable of putting sufficient pressure on the Rwandan Regime and consequently forcing it to cease immediately and without conditions, from these deathly attacks on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Besides, it is the right moment that the European Union and her member states should severely sanction the international economic powers that continue to nourish this aggressive war so as to continue to loot Congo’s natural resources.

In the name of Justice and of Peace, we ask you to sign the Open Letter, which you will find below, written to Madam Catherine Ashton, who is the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Collectif des Femmes Congolaises pour la Paix et la Justice,

Groupe Epiphanie,

    Réseau Paix pour le Congo,

  Dynamique de la Diaspora Congolaise en Emilia-Romagna.

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Madame CATHERINE MARGARET ASHTON

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs

and Security Policy

BRUSSELLES

Dear Madame,

On the 29^th of July 2012, John Mpaliza started a walk from Reggio Emilia (Italy) to Brussels. He arrived Brussels on the 22^nd of September 2012 after trekking for about two months.

The aim of his trek was to call for attention to what is happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo; to seek for justice and for peace.

This trek raise on awareness in the Congolese emigrant population and was a great opportunity to also sensitize and awake the public opinion of the European politicians.

Now it is the moment to make concrete decisions. From the beginning of April 2012, war has started again in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This war is being promoted by “M23” (the March 23^rd Movement), whose military branch is renamed the Congo Revolutionary force (ARC). This military force occupies military and administratively a large area of the Nord Kivu Region where reigns only desolation, misery and death. There are thousands and thousands of refugees.

The final report of the United Nations experts, responsible for this zone, that will be published this November, confirms the military role and support (technical and material) of Rwanda to this force  M23, and equally mentioned Uganda.

The Nuremberg process ruled that “any war of aggression is a supreme international crime” aggravated by a second offence. From 1996, the Rwandan government, directly or indirectly, is at the origin of the continuous war of aggression in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is especially through manipulation, instigation and imposition of various rebel groups and rebellions in this area.

Today we are talking about 6 million dead. We cannot ever describe the untold suffering and humiliation caused by the violence that plaques this zone.

We are sorry to declare that through this violence and atrocities have after been condemned the countries responsible continue to deny the facts and consequently continue to promote these aggressive acts.

We believe, it is time for the European Union to take a firm decision. It is time for the European Union to make those decisions that will help to open the road to peace and justice in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is no need for a new military operation. What is needed, what is necessary is rather to clarify and strengthen the existing operation.

Addressing the Francophony Assembly in Kinshasa, the president of France Hollande reiterated on how important it is to empower the mission of Monusco, to render it capable of imposing and maintaining peace, of protecting the civil population and safeguarding the territorial integrity of the Country. The European Union can make Monusco functionable by creating the conditions possible and favorable to carry out the above functions.

We sincerely ask you, to help sustain this cause at the European headquarters, a radical change of attitude and policy as far as the Rwandan government and regime is concerned. This could be through condemning and sanctioning of the regime, placing of an embargo on:

• The importation of arms and forbidding military cooperation;
• The exportation of minerals looted from Congo and tagged in Rwanda;
• Suspension of external and bilateral help, since Rwanda depends 52% on foreign help.

Bering aware of the fact that, behind the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are hidden a number of great powers, who often make use of the surrounding states or countries, we beg you to use the authority and powers you have to exercise a serious and concrete control on the economic relations between European states and the Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighboring states.

Accept our sincere greetings.

Written at Brussels and Parma, 29.10.2012

Collectif des Femmes Congolaises pour la Paix et la Justice,

Groupe Epiphanie,

Rete Pace per il Congo,

Dynamique de la Diaspora Congolaise en Emilia-Romagna.

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SIGN THE OPEN LETTER