The Congolese community in Albany rallied at the NYS Capitol on February 25th to raise awareness of the DRC conflict, primarily driven by resource struggles. Led by Diane Mbombo-Tite, they emphasized the humanitarian crisis resulting from violence and exploitation. The group is planning an International Women’s Day event to further highlight gender-based violence in DRC while calling for more ethical resource access.
On February 25th, advocates representing the Congolese community gathered at the New York State Capitol to draw attention to the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Among them was Diane Mbombo-Tite, President of the Congolese Association of Albany, who has previously been featured by CBS6. This marked their inaugural advocacy day aimed at raising awareness of the DRC situation.
Mbombo-Tite highlighted the conflict’s root cause, stating, “There are rebel groups, and the main one is called M23, who are seizing big cities. The source of the conflict is natural resources… those rebellion group are doing all that is in their power to make that region unstable so that they can access those illegally.” She specifically mentioned minerals such as cobalt and coltan, essential for numerous electronic devices. The call for more ethical access to these resources is significant, especially given the staggering toll of over 20 million civilian lives lost and the ongoing trauma faced by those forced to flee their homes.
Many in the community, like Jean-Pierre Munsi, who has been an American citizen for thirty years, voiced their concerns about the migrant crisis precipitated by conflict and instability. Munsi remarked, “They’re coming here because over there, there is a mess, and there is a life here. So that’s what people are trying to come here and do… Then people want to be running away from there and coming here and here, then kick them out of here again.”
In addition to raising awareness on the broader conflict, the Congolese Association of Albany is planning an event for International Women’s Day on March 8th, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Blake Annex. Mbombo-Tite underscored the importance of this event, stating, “We wanted also to raise awareness about women’s condition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We’re talking about gender-based violence… It’s not safe to be a woman in DR Congo.”
The organization has also reached out to local officials, including Democratic Congressman Paul Tonko, to participate in this crucial event, seeking to amplify their cause further and engage more people in the plight of DRC women amidst ongoing violence.
The Congolese community in Albany is passionately advocating for awareness of the DRC conflict, primarily driven by resource exploitation and the ensuing humanitarian crisis. Through organized events, such as International Women’s Day, they aim to highlight gender-based violence and call for more ethical resource management. Their actions emphasize the intertwined fates of immigrants and their homeland, underscoring the urgent need for global attention to the issues in the DRC.
Original Source: cbs6albany.com
