DRC: 15 Years After the UN Mapping Report, Denis Mukwege Calls to End Impunity
On October 1, 2025, marking the 15th anniversary of the publication of the UN Mapping Report, Dr. Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, delivered a powerful appeal for justice for victims of atrocities committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
📌 Background of the Report
Published on October 1, 2010, despite diplomatic pressure — particularly from Rwanda — the report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) documented 617 violent incidents between 1993 and 2003, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and in some cases, acts potentially amounting to genocide.
📌 Broken Hopes for Victims
“This report gave immense hope to victims and martyr communities,” Mukwege recalled. “But 15 years later, impunity prevails. Some perpetrators even sit in institutions and security services.”
📌 Corruption in Reparations Funds
Mukwege expressed outrage at allegations of corruption involving the FONAREV (National Reparations Fund for Victims) and the FRIVAO (Special Fund for the ICJ ruling against Uganda). Instead of repairing victims, these funds risk becoming “new sources of humiliation” if justice is not served.
📌 Silence of the International Community
He denounced the double standards of the international community: “After more than 25 years of UN missions in the DRC, the military strategy has failed.” He linked the resurgence of M23 rebels, supported by the Rwandan army, to this lack of accountability.
📌 Independent Justice as a Path to Peace
The Panzi doctor reaffirmed that durable peace can only be achieved through truth and justice. He called for the creation of a Special Criminal Tribunal for the DRC and mixed specialized chambers to prosecute grave crimes.
📌 Do Not Forget to Build the Future
Finally, Mukwege urged for the confidential UNHCHR database naming the alleged perpetrators of the 617 incidents to be made public:
“We cannot build peace on lies and bad faith.”
Fifteen years later, his message remains unchanged: Without justice, there will be no lasting peace in the DRC.
✍️ Author: Mangwa
📖 Read more on: Mecamedia Africa
#DRC #Mukwege #UNMappingReport #Justice #HumanRights