News – DRC Foreign Minister in Dublin re Yves Sakila

Introduction

Democratic Republic of Congo Foreign Minister arrived in Ireland last week in connection with the lynching of Mr Yves Sakila in Dublin. This diplomatic visit is highly symbolic for the Congolese and Africans.  A short reflection on this important visit is discerned below.

Reflection

Every human life from conception to natural death is dignified and inviolable everywhere at all times. This natural law applies in the Republic of Ireland irrespective of citizenship and residency category. Therefore, the brutality and barbarity of Mr Sakila’s lynching challenge this ageless truth. The spectre of dehumanisation imposed on Mr Sakila attempted to strip him of identity, existence, relationships and community. While the Irish nation was and remain horrified, Mme Foreign Minister’s visit to Dublin carried a bold message, “Mr Sakila is a human being, an African son of Democratic Republic of Congo.” The Congolese are proud and dignified, a fact undiminished by his awful death. His compatriots acknowledge and respect him through his country’s top diplomat.

The visit for justice was part of a broad diplomatic initiative including broad discussions on bilateral relations between Kinshasa and Dublin. Kinshasa’s priorities proceeded from mechanisms for review triggered by the illegal act. There are no records of Kinshasa’s summoning the resident Irish ambassador/representative according to diplomatic standards. Such reticence in public reaction given the gravity of offence may suggest both elevated bilateral relations and prior Dublin’s communication of embarrassment to Kinshasa through the diplomatic channels. Nevertheless, what is evident is the maturity of Kinshasa’s diplomacy.

The meeting between Mme Foreign Minister and her Irish counterpart took place probably after the former's courtesy calls on the prime minister and president. Policies, initiatives, diplomatic agreements and shared geopolitical concerns etc may have featured in the talk. Her meeting with the Irish Justice Minister who is Ireland’s chief law officer was in order. Simply put, Mme Foreign Minister’s questions could be framed as thus “Does the Republic of Ireland respect human life? Where was the law in the lynching of Mr Sakila? Does racial justice exist in Ireland? Is there a link between Mr Bertie Ahern’s hate speech and the lynching? Where was the Garda in the matter? Are private security operatives empowered to kill under any situation? Any assurance against reoccurrence? Where does Kinshasa - Dublin relations go from here?” 

Another strong symbol is Mme Foreign Minister’s engagement with Irish media/population where she broke protocol to speak with impeccable English instead of French. She was heard clearly while oozing with confidence, professionalism and responsibility in statecraft.

A historical truth parallel can be drawn between Mme Foreign Minister’s action and Roger Casement’s investigation of millions of Congolese victims killed by Belgian operatives under the orders of Leopold 2 of Belgium.

Lastly the outstanding work remains for the Congolese, African and Irish communities in Ireland to continue solidaristic actions of enormous pressure on the Irish government to secure justice for Mr Yves Sakila soon.