A Women-Led Music Festival Pushes for Peace in Congo’s Conflict-Ridden Eastern Region

April 3, 2026

In Goma, Congo, women organizers held their seventh annual "Musika na Kipaji" music festival, drawing nearly 3,000 attendees despite the city being under M23 rebel control since January 2025. The three-day event showcases female artists and campaigns against gender-based violence, which has increased dramatically amid ongoing conflict between rebels and Congolese military forces. Featured performer Clem Cléopâtre and other women artists used the platform to promote messages of peace, unity, and solidarity with women affected by violence.

Who is affected

Women in Goma and eastern Congo experiencing gender-based violence
Nearly 3,000 festival attendees
At least 7 million people displaced by the conflict in eastern Congo
Congolese rapper Clem Cléopâtre and other women performers
Residents of Goma living under M23 rebel rule
Jean Luc Maroy and other festivalgoers seeking community connection

What action is being taken

Women organizers are holding the "Musika na Kipaji" music festival to campaign against gender-based violence and showcase women's talents
Female performers like Clem Cléopâtre are using music to encourage women and promote messages of social cohesion, peace, and unity
Festivalgoers are gathering to express frustrations and rebuild social bonds despite the ongoing conflict

Why it matters

This festival represents a critical act of resilience and resistance in one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, providing a rare safe space for community gathering in a conflict zone. The event directly addresses the surge in sexual violence accompanying the military conflict while empowering women through artistic expression and visibility. In a city under rebel control where violence is an everyday reality, the festival serves as both a form of peaceful protest and a means of maintaining social cohesion and hope among residents who have been separated by war.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint