Archive · 11 Jun 2025
Congo Violence Erupts After Belgium's Return of Mask
Imagine a special, old wooden carving was returned to its home country after being away for a long time.
This carving is a mask that some people in Congo think gives them magical powers in battle.
But, when the mask came back, fighting started between different groups of people in a place called Kwamouth.
These groups were already arguing about who owned the land.
Now, the fighting is really bad, and lots of people have had to leave their homes.
Some people think the government is not doing a good job of stopping the fighting, and this makes the situation even worse.
Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has surged following the return of the Kakungu mask from Belgium.
The mask is a cultural artifact that holds spiritual significance for the Yaka and Suku, and is believed to give magical powers.
Conflict has escalated between the Teke and the Yaka/Suku communities in Kwamouth, near Kinshasa.
The Congolese government's handling of the conflict, including the appointment of a Suku royal family member to lead a pacification commission, has been criticized.
At least 300 people have been killed and 160,000 displaced due to the conflict.
- Who
- Teke, Yaka, and Suku communities, and the Congolese government.
- What
- Conflict and violence that has surged following the return of the Kakungu mask.
- When
- Violence began in the same month that King Philippe of Belgium visited the DRC in June 2022.
- Where
- Kwamouth, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Why
- Disagreements over land rights escalated into ethnic conflict. The return of the Kakungu mask may have further inflamed the situation.
Local communities
Government's actions
Accountability
Local communities
Human Rights Watch says that the lack of accountability for alleged perpetrators deepens mistrust among communities.
Government's actions
Some Mobondo fighters have been drafted into the Congolese army and sent to fight against M23.
Government's Role
Local communities
Many Teke felt the government sided with their rivals.
Government's actions
The Congolese government has made things worse by appointing a 'pacification commission' led by a Suku royal family member.
- Cultural Artifact
- Kakungu Mask
- Ethnic Groups Involved
- Teke, Yaka, Suku
- Location of Conflict
- Kwamouth, DRC
- Estimated Deaths
- 300+
- Displaced Persons
- 160,000+
- Start of Violence
- June 2022
- Primary Cause
- Land Rights