Congolese Community in Albany Advocates for Awareness on DRC Conflict
On February 25th, the Congolese community in Albany gathered at the NYS Capitol to raise awareness about the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Led by Diane Mbombo-Tite of the Congolese Association of Albany, they highlighted issues related to natural resource exploitation and the associated violence. They plan an International Women’s Day event to further discuss gender-based violence in the DRC.
On February 25th, a significant gathering occurred at the New York State Capitol, where advocates and activists congregated to spotlight the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This included a newly formed group of Congolese residents from Albany who raised their voices and carried signs to draw attention to the pressing issues in their homeland.
Diane Mbombo-Tite, an asylum seeker previously featured by CBS6, currently serves as the President of the Congolese Association of Albany. She played a pivotal role in organizing the group’s inaugural advocacy event at the Capitol. Mbombo-Tite highlighted the core issue as being instigated by rebel factions, chiefly M23, that are overtaking major cities, driven by the pursuit of natural resources. “The source of the conflict is natural resources. So those rebellion groups are doing all that is in their power to make that region unstable so that they can access those illegally,” she stated.
She explained the connection between these minerals, including cobalt and coltan, and their integral role in manufacturing electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops. Mbombo-Tite emphasized the need for a more ethical approach to mining these resources, questioning, “Is there not another way to access those minerals rather than killing more than 20 million people?” She noted the dire situation faced by civilians who are forced to flee their homes due to violence and instability.
Both Mbombo-Tite and her fellow community members are deeply concerned for their families still residing in the DRC and stress the importance of advocacy. They articulated how their experiences underscore the reasons behind immigration and how assimilated individuals can effectively advocate for their families back home. Jean-Pierre Munsi, a long-time American citizen originally from the Congo, remarked on the broader implications for immigrants seeking a better life in the U.S., stating, “If there were peace, economic development, into the country where they’re coming from, they weren’t going to be coming like that.”
In addition to their advocacy, the Congolese Association of Albany announced they will host an International Women’s Day event on March 8th. The event aims to raise awareness concerning the alarming rates of gender-based violence in the DRC, where women are often victimized amidst conflict. Mbombo-Tite stated, “We need to be engaged. Being silenced is no longer deliverable.” They have extended invitations to local officials, including Congressman Paul Tonko, to participate in the discussion.
Overall, the rally at the Capitol was not only a demonstration of solidarity among the Congolese community but also a critical call to action for broader awareness and engagement regarding the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The advocacy efforts by the Congolese community at the New York State Capitol serve as a compelling reminder of the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Led by leaders like Diane Mbombo-Tite, the community is working to raise awareness about the turmoil resulting from resource exploitation and to highlight the plight of women subjected to violence. Their upcoming International Women’s Day event illustrates their commitment to effecting change and fostering dialogue, particularly regarding gender-based violence.
Original Source: cbs6albany.com
