DR Congo players protest international silence on M23 conflict

Record ID: 1766751

  • Title: DR Congo players protest international silence on M23 conflict
  • Date: 8th February 2024
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (FEBRUARY 14, 2024) (REUTERS) GERMAN GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ARRIVING FOR ROUTINE PRESS CONFERENCE, SITTING DOWN WITH SPOKESPEOPLE OF DIFFERENT MINISTRIES CAMERAWOMAN FILMING GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, CHRISTIAN WAGNER, SAYING: “I can confirm that we are aware of this case and that the person involv
  • Embargoed: 22nd February 2024 03:24
  • Keywords: AFCON Africa Cup of Nations Cedric Bakambu Chancel Mbemba DRC Democratic Republic of Congo Ivory Coast M23 Movement Sebastien Desabre
  • Location: ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST; INTERNET
  • City: ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST; INTERNET
  • Country: Various
  • Topics: Soccer,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA004878808022024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) players protested the lack of international media attention towards the victims of violence in Eastern Congo ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Ivory Coast on Wednesday (February 7).
    The starting eleven covered their mouths with their hands and pointed two fingers at their heads in the gesture of a gun as the national anthem played to make a statement against the lack of international media coverage of the conflict raging between government forces and the March 23 (M23) movement which has left an estimated 42,000 people displaced as militants advance on the city of Goma in North Kivu province.
    Commenting in his post-match press conference after the Leopards 1-0 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast, head coach Sebastien Desabre explained his players wanted to show support for victims and shed light on the conflict.
    The protests followed social media posts by DRC captain Chancel Mbemba and striker Cedric Bakambu on Monday condemning the violence and international silence.
    The DRC's government and UN experts assert the government of neighbouring Rwanda has continued to support the Tutsi-led rebel group since the initial defeat of M23's armed uprising in 2013, a claim Rwandan President Paul Kagame denies.
    (Production: Conal Quinn)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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