On February 25th, advocates from the Congolese community in Albany rallied at the New York State Capitol to bring attention to the DRC conflict. President Diane Mbombo-Tite emphasized the exploitation of natural resources by rebel groups and the associated violence. The community plans to host an event on International Women’s Day to focus on gender-based violence in the DRC and invite local officials to engage in the discussion.
On February 25th, advocates and supporters gathered at the New York State Capitol to draw attention to the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Among them, the Congolese community from Albany expressed their concerns through signs and vocal advocacy, emphasizing the dire situation in their homeland.
Diane Mbombo-Tite, an asylum seeker and President of the Congolese Association of Albany, played a pivotal role in organizing this advocacy event. She highlighted the actions of rebel groups such as M23, which are pursuing control over significant cities with violence driven by the desire to exploit natural resources including cobalt and coltan—essential materials for electronic devices.
Mbombo-Tite called for a discussion on ethical resource acquisition, questioning the need for violence that has led to the displacement and trauma of countless civilians. Her organization aims to harness the experiences of immigrants to raise awareness about the tumultuous conditions in the DRC, stressing that many still have families suffering in the conflict.
Jean-Pierre Munsi, a longtime American citizen originally from the Congo, echoed these sentiments. He articulated the concerns about the plight of immigrants fleeing chaos in search of safety in the United States, emphasizing the need for solutions that address their homeland issues without inciting additional hardship.
The Congolese Association of Albany plans to hold an International Women’s Day event on March 8th, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Blake Annex. This event aims to spotlight the pervasive issues of gender-based violence in the DRC, where women’s bodies are treated as battlegrounds. As Mbombo-Tite stated, there is an urgent need for global engagement and activism to change the narrative.
They are inviting local officials, including Democratic Congressman Paul Tonko, to participate in these discussions and advocate for change in the DRC.
The recent gathering by the Congolese community at the New York State Capitol underscores a crucial aspect of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With leaders like Diane Mbombo-Tite advocating for a more ethical approach to resource extraction and highlighting the plight of women in their homeland, the urgency for global attention and action becomes apparent. Their initiative not only seeks to raise awareness but also calls for the humane treatment of refugees and immigrants and addresses global humanitarian issues.
Original Source: cbs6albany.com
