Pygmies   Wamba

Sisi Wambuti tuko!!!

March of Pygmies

Never heard in the history of D. R. Congo:

PYGMIES walk (work) to Isiro, to claim their citizens' RIGHTS

as the others, in dignity and vis-à-vis the LAW.

 

«WE TOO

PYGMIES EXIST»

 

 

 

 

 

MARCH OF PYGMEES :

PEACE AND RIGHTS

FOR PYGMIES 

IN D. R. CONGO

 

 

ISIRO, APRIL 21ST, 2005 

«WE TOO PYGMIES EXIST»

NOUS AUSSI LES PYGMEES NOUS EXISTONS

SISI WAMBUTI TUKO !!!  - 

BISO MPE BAMBOTE TOZALI

 

JUSTICE, EQUALITY, RIGHTS FOR PYGMIES IN RD CONGO

BISO BAMBOTE TOLINGI: 

BOBOTO – AMANI /  BOSEMBO – HAKI YETU

 

 

Since Monday 18^th April, Isiro saw itself invaded by “Pygmies” coming mostly from the territory of Wamba. A group of 200/450 people crowded the town with songs. For many, to see a crowd of Pygmies in the city was a golden occasion:  “They are like us!” They uttered.

They gathered together after three days because they came on foot (doing 50/ to 200 km on foot, thus 3/4 days of walking, and bringing their provisions for the road … (50 to 200 Kms!). Finally, on Thursday April 21st, more than 2.300 pygmies marched past through all the city of Isiro.

The population welcomed them well. We don’t think that some people manipulated them; absolutely not, it was a deliberate choice. They decided to march without any fear: “Tokokende”, they said (We must go).

 

The demonstration, done in a festive and peaceful climate, was indeed a claim: Pygmies asked for their RIGHTS. They want to be considered as human beings, as Congolese Citizens like others, and if you want, also as " first inhabitants " of the D. R. Congo.

 

We had in our territory three cases of murder of Pygmies, effectively without grounds against them; but no prosecution was so far carried out. The Public prosecutor's department asks us to provide " means of transportation " for their inquiries!!! To our great surprise, the police took advantage of 250 $ of fine paid by the culprits, already released, without any foreseen compensation. It was a “miscarriage justice”.

 

We ask for our RIGHTS, pygmies were shouting; we ask for the RESPECT, which is due to us, in front of the Law and as other Citizens; we ask for the end of the "patronage" on us. We ask for FREE EDUCATION for our children, with respect of our culture and of our lifestyle, with an adapted school Terms and Programs (cf. O.R.A method).

We have 5.000 children pygmies in the Primary school and more than 10 in the Secondary … the public care: we have never had profits! We ask our identity cards, like other citizens, to vote and to enjoy public responsibilities…

 

The protestation, in which the other people attended, filled Mandela stadium of more than five thousand persons.

The Governor of Province and three national delegates were present, one of them, M^rs. Lomeya addressed the crowd underlining the importance of the March, "the first one!", and the impact of the demands of the Pygmies in the history of the country. Seven representatives of MONUC (U.N peacekeepers in Congo) gave an international importance for the event. We are also thankful to them for their economic support;

without their contribution the success of the march of Pygmies would had been a mere dream.

 

The march of Pygmies in Isiro was a success: It was due to the active participation of pygmies, by the voluntary help of women who helped to feed them; for the enthusiasm aroused in city especially among the children of the school … At 16.30, there was a friendly match (not scheduled): Pygmies won 2-0, and the most spectacular thing happened after the football march:

Children congratulated the pygmies, singing and dancing, and went up the compound were Pygmies were lodged “ Pygmies Won, what a wonderful day!”

 

 Thanks for welcoming your fellow Pygmies in your town!

 

We are still waiting for an outcome of the March, by the awareness of Pygmies, which have to be the ACTORS of their progress and Integration in the company; and at the same time the empowerment of the national Institutions in D.R.Congo to return "justice" to Pygmies in their Dignity and rights.

 

And why not, also at the international level, we ask NGOs to come an assist the PYGMIES who are always abandoned to themselves.

 They too, deserve respect for their human qualities how much admirable …

 

 

THREE CHEERS FOR THE PYGMIES

THREE CHERS FOR D.R. CONGO

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