Zimbabwean Delegation Joins Continental Peers in Honouring DRC Conflict Victims

Democratic Republic of Congo, The Zimbabwean delegation attending the 84th Session of the Executive Committee and the 47th Conference of the African Parliamentary Union (APU) participated in a solemn visit to historic monuments in Kinshasa, alongside fellow APU members from across Africa.

The visit, aimed at promoting continental solidarity and remembrance, saw delegates pay tribute to children and civilians who lost their lives during past conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The monuments commemorate those who suffered massacres, torture, and other forms of abuse, including sexual violence.

In a poignant moment of reflection, members of the Zimbabwean delegation, together with other APU participants, laid white flowers at the monument. The gesture symbolised purity, remembrance, and the ongoing process of national and communal healing.

“This visit serves as a reminder of the importance of peace, unity, and the protection of human rights across Africa,” an APU spokesperson said. “It is a call to collectively honour the memories of those affected by conflict and to commit to preventing such atrocities in the future.”

The African Parliamentary Union, which brings together parliamentary bodies from across the continent, has increasingly emphasised the role of legislators in promoting reconciliation, human rights, and continental cooperation. Delegates highlighted that activities such as the monument visit strengthen ties among member states and underscore a shared responsibility to learn from history.

The Zimbabwean delegation, part of a wider continental gathering in Kinshasa, is expected to engage in several deliberations over the coming days, focusing on regional cooperation, legislative harmonisation, and strategies to promote peace and development across Africa.