Congolese Diaspora Protests in Brussels

Members of the Congolese diaspora held a large demonstration in Brussels on Friday, May 15, 2026. The protest took place in front of the European Parliament.

Speakers called for stronger international action over the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Among the speakers was Pitou Chomongo, president of Diaspora Plurielle and member of the International Social Body for Human Rights in Congo. He criticized what he described as the silence and inaction of the international community.

Call for International Engagement

According to Pitou Chomongo, Brussels carries strong symbolic importance because it hosts European Union institutions, United Nations offices in Europe, and NATO headquarters.

“We came here to Brussels to denounce the silence and inaction of the European Union, the United Nations, and NATO in the face of the dramatic situation our country is going through,” he told demonstrators.

He said these international institutions influence political and diplomatic decisions affecting Africa and global affairs. He also described Brussels as a strategic location for the Congolese diaspora to raise its concerns.

Concerns Over Eastern DRC

After the demonstration, organizers scheduled a conference and discussion session focused on the humanitarian and security situation in eastern DRC. Discussions focused on North Kivu, Ituri, and parts of Katanga.

Pitou Chomongo accused the Kinshasa government of promoting hate speech and implementing security policies targeting specific communities.

He mentioned the Tutsi community in North Kivu, the Banyamulenge community in the High Plateaus of Minembwe, and the Hema community in Ituri.

According to him, bombardments targeting civilians continue in several areas, including Minembwe and Masisi.

He also criticized what he described as arbitrary arrests involving military and judicial officers from Katanga.

“This is a way of putting pressure on certain communities and excluding them from national life,” he stated.

Diaspora Coalition Supports Protest

Gakiza David, representative of the Banyamulenge mutual coordination in Europe and member of the executive committee of the Gakondo association, also addressed the gathering.

He said the coalition brought together participants from several European countries to support the peaceful protest in Brussels.

Gakiza thanked the organizing team and participants who attended the event.

He added that the program included three activities: the peaceful demonstration, a press conference, and a question and answer session focused on the humanitarian and security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The demonstration comes as tensions continue in eastern DRC, where humanitarian, security, and community concerns remain serious issues for local populations and human rights organizations.