Congolese artist uses paintings to denounce war and violence

Congolese artist Moyengo Kadima is using his paintings to denounce decades of war and violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's conflict-hit east, where millions of people have been affected by prolonged insecurity.

Through his artwork, Kadima says he hopes to promote unity and justice while giving a voice to victims of the region's conflicts.

Most of the paintings on display depict the suffering endured by people in eastern DR Congo for more than three decades.

Kadima grew up in Goma, a city now under the control of M23 rebels. Having witnessed the devastating effects of conflict firsthand, he turned to art as a way to condemn violence, raise awareness and call for peace.

"We have an important role to play in raising awareness among our people through our art. Our art is not just for entertainment; it is also a tool for informing people about the aggression we face. People outside our country don't see us as separate tribes; they see us as one nation. If we remain divided, our enemies will exploit those divisions to destroy us," Kadima said.

The exhibition in Kinshasa attracted visitors of different ages, many of whom said the paintings offered a powerful portrayal of the human cost of conflict.

"For me, this event is really encouraging. You don't need words to understand what's happening; the pictures speak for themselves. When you look at them, you see children who have been hurt, families that have been affected and lives that have been shattered," said Noely Mbuwa, a law student in Kinshasa.

The exhibition was held at the Genocost Memorial grounds in Kinshasa. Genocost is a term used in the DRC to describe the mass killings and suffering linked to the exploitation of the country's natural resources.

Every August 2, the DRC commemorates victims of massacres committed in the country's east.

Other artists from eastern DRC praised Kadima's work for highlighting the suffering caused by decades of conflict.

John Primo Mulimbi, an artist from eastern DRC, said: "Personally, having lived in Goma, I consider what is happening there an expression of resilience rather than victimization. People there don't dwell on the massacres; they rebuild day and night to show that, despite everything happening around them, they are still standing and will overcome."

The DRC is home to vast deposits of minerals, including resources that are critical to global industries. But decades of conflict have fueled illegal mining and mineral smuggling, while millions of Congolese people continue to live in poverty.

For Kadima, his paintings are an attempt to give a voice to the injustice surrounding the country's natural wealth and the human cost of its exploitation.

One of his portraits depicts precious minerals held in blood-stained hands, a powerful representation of the link between the country's mineral wealth, illegal mining and conflict.

The Congolese government has introduced reforms aimed at streamlining the mining sector and strengthening oversight. However, continued violence in eastern DRC could complicate efforts to implement those reforms and ensure that the country's mineral wealth benefits its people.

(Report compiled by Chris Ocamringa, edited by Halligan Agade)