DR Congo's players and coach Sébastien Desabre protested before their team's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final on Wednesday evening against the Ivory Coast.
Here's the reason for their demonstration...
Check it out!
What's the story?
The Dr Congo's players and their French head coach Sébastien Desabre protested before their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final loss to Ivory Coast in Abidjan.
The players and coach all held their right hands in front of their mouths and two fingers to their temples during a portion of Congo's national anthem, the players also wore black armbands for last night's encounter.
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Let's take a closer look at what this peaceful protest was about...
Explaining DR Congo's protest
Ivory Coast and Sebastien Haller dashed the dreams of the Congolese to continue their run in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan to reach the tournament final against Nigeria.
During the anthems, the DR Congo team used their major AFCON platform to spotlight the major conflict taking place in the eastern region of their country.
"It was a message to show support to the victims, to notify people that there are indeed things happening in the east and that it is necessary to shed light on it. People are disappointed about that, too," said Desabre said after his side's 1-0 loss.
Coach Sébastien Desabre:
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) February 7, 2024
"The national team is a symbol of national pride and we wanted to use this opportunity tonight to highlight all the atrocities happening in eastern DR Congo ????. We hope that the situation changes." pic.twitter.com/9X0XHzQ3oZ
Captain Chancel Mbemba and forward Cédric Bakambu had already raised their voices to draw more eyes to the issue on social media:
???? Tout le monde voit les massacres à l'Est du Congo. Mais tout le monde se tait.
— Cédric Bakambu (@Bakambu17) February 5, 2024
Mettez la même énergie que vous mettez pour parler de la CAN pour mettre en avant ce qu'il se passe chez nous, il n'y a pas de petits gestes. pic.twitter.com/PUZCavuckC
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Here's how people reacted to the peaceful protest online:
Thank you to the national team of DRC "the Leopards" for raising awareness about the genocide in the Congo!
— #CongoIsBleeding (@kambale) February 7, 2024
"All can see but everyone is silent!"
La Justice de Dieu, Y'en A!#FreeCongo #StopGenocide #CongoIsBleeding pic.twitter.com/DQEO02fkZg
The DR Congo players used the national anthem to protest/raise awareness of the atrocities happening in Eastern Congo.
— sim simma ???? (@leizenomis) February 7, 2024
Guys, I am close to tears ??
Mon paye ?????? pic.twitter.com/31CmN6tSFg
Le geste des joueurs de la RD Congo durant l'hymne en soutien au peuple congolais victime de massacres. ???? #FreeCongo pic.twitter.com/SBRMGtKjxo
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) February 7, 2024
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