On Sunday 5 October 2025, the Centre cultural in Kinshasa hosted a screening of the documentary film “Muganga”, a poignant account of the crimes and violence suffered by the people of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Directed by Marie-Hélène Roux and produced by Cynthia Pinet, this committed fiction film retraces the life and struggle of Dr Denis Mukwege, winner of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize, while denouncing the horror of the sexual violence suffered by Congolese women.

A few hours after the premiere screening, the man who inspired the film began by taking stock of the Congo’s sacrifice. “In the past, the tires that rolled around the world were inflated by the air of suffering of our ancestors. Today, the rubber boom has given way to strategic minerals. Every smartphone, every electric battery, is fueled by the blood of the Congolese people, to the indifference of the international community”, said Dr Denis Mukwege.

It’s a powerful film that I hope will raise awareness in the same way that Blood Diamond did in Sierra Leone. It should appeal to every human being: it’s time for Rwanda, Uganda and all those involved in the destabilization and balkanization of the DRC to stop making the Congolese people suffer. It’s abominable”, said Martin Fayulu, a Congolese politician and member of the opposition.

In his message to the Congolese people, the doctor who runs the Panzi hospital and is a former candidate in the 2023 presidential election believes that we need to unite.
“It is urgent that we overcome political divisions to wake up, be indignant and act in a spirit of national solidarity, in order to preserve this land for which our ancestors fought, to call on the world to finally recognize our suffering and to put an end to this umpteenth war of aggression and occupation imposed on us by Rwanda.”

Distribution sources have announced that the film has exceeded 100,000 viewers since its broadcast. It is hoped that this film will be viewed by many with the intention of taking action to bring peace back to the DRC.

Written as Akilimali Chomachoma