Religious Leaders Collect 1 Million Signatures

Since the middle of July, religious leaders throughout the Congo have been organizing to collect signatures from Congolese citizens as a form of demonstration against Rwanda's aggression against the Congolese people through support of the rebel group M23.

The petition touch on several key themes:
1. No to the balkanization (break up) of the Congo.

2. A cessation of Rwandan aggression against the Congolese people.

3. No negotiations with the rebel group M23.

4. Calls for justice for the people of the Congo who have been victims of myriad war criminals.
Radio Okapi reported that the church leaders collected 1 million signatures.

The petitions have already been presented to the Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Raymond Tshibanda. The petitions will next be presented to the United Nations. The key ask from the petition is for the United Nations and the international community to help bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the Congo.